[Digital Today reporter Oh Sang-yup (오상엽)] South Korean stocks closed sharply lower as fears of a clash between the United States and Iran rose again. The KOSPI slipped nearly 6 percent to retreat to the 5,250 level, while the KOSDAQ fell more than 4 percent.

On March 9, the KOSPI ended down 333.41 points, or 5.97 percent, at 5,251.46 from the previous session. The index opened sharply lower at 5,265.37 and rebounded as high as 5,327.42, but also slid to as low as 5,096.16 in a volatile session.

By investor group, individuals net bought 4.63 trillion won on bargain hunting, while foreigners and institutions net sold 3.18 trillion won and 1.53 trillion won, respectively.

The Korea Exchange triggered a sell-side sidecar for the main board at 9:06 a.m. after the early plunge.

The KOSPI 200 futures nearest-month contract fell 6.49 percent from the previous close to 773.90 points, meeting the trigger conditions. Program trading sell orders were suspended for 5 minutes. It was the seventh sidecar trigger this year and the fifth sell-side sidecar.

As losses widened, a circuit breaker was also triggered at about 10:31 a.m. The circuit breaker is activated when the KOSPI stays down more than 8 percent from the previous session for at least 1 minute.

Most top stocks by market value were also weaker.

Samsung Electronics fell 7.81 percent to 173,500 won. SK Hynix dropped 9.52 percent, Hyundai Motor fell 8.32 percent, LG Energy Solution declined 4.77 percent, Hanwha Aerospace slipped 3.17 percent, Samsung Biologics fell 3.95 percent, SK Square dropped 7.96 percent and Doosan Enerbility declined 1.84 percent.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, however, rose 3.97 percent to 576,000 won, the only gainer among top market-cap stocks.

The KOSDAQ ended down 52.39 points, or 4.54 percent, at 1,102.28. A sell-side sidecar was also reported to have been triggered on the KOSDAQ at about 10:31 a.m.

In the Seoul foreign exchange market, the won was trading at 1,494.90 per dollar, up 9.90 won, or 0.67 percent, from the previous session.