[DigitalToday reporter Oh Sang-yup (오상엽)] South Korean shares extend the previous day's losses and slide sharply in early trading on March 13. The KOSPI falls more than 2 percent to the 5,460 level, while the KOSDAQ is down nearly 1 percent.

As of 9:18 a.m., the KOSPI is down 121.78 points, or 2.18 percent, from the previous session at 5,461.47. The index opened down 170.86 points, or 3.06 percent, at 5,412.39.

By investor group, retail investors are net buyers of 490.4 billion won as they move in to buy on weakness. Foreigners and institutions, meanwhile, sell 331.9 billion won and 147.4 billion won worth of shares, respectively, putting pressure on the index.

Top market-cap stocks are all in the red.

Samsung Electronics is down 2.71 percent at 182,800 won, while SK Hynix is down 2.69 percent at 905,000 won.

Other heavyweight shares are also posting steep declines, including LG Energy Solution down 4.56 percent, Hyundai Motor down 2.30 percent, Samsung Biologics down 2.28 percent and SK Square down 2.35 percent.

The KOSDAQ is down 11.09 points, or 0.97 percent, from the previous session at 1,137.31 at the same time.

In the Seoul foreign exchange market, the won-dollar exchange rate is 1,488.00 won per dollar, down 3.00 won, or 0.20 percent, from the previous session based on the basic dealing rate.