The KOSPI pared its losses sharply just before the close to hold above 5,400, but fell for a second straight session. The KOSDAQ ended slightly higher.

On March 27, the KOSPI ended at 5,438.87, down 21.59 points, or 0.40 percent, from the previous day. The index opened at 5,300.61, down 159.85 points, or 2.93 percent, from the previous session. It at one point dropped more than 4 percent and fell into the 5,200 range before narrowing the decline in the afternoon.

By investor type, retail investors bought a net 2.7121 trillion won, while foreigners sold a net 3.8774 trillion won, nearly 4 trillion won, for a second day. Institutions bought a net 778.6 billion won.

Among top stocks by market capitalisation, Samsung Electronics closed at 179,700 won, down 400 won, or 0.22 percent, from the previous day. SK Hynix ended at 922,000 won, down 11,000 won, or 1.18 percent.

Hyundai Motor rose 1.02 percent, LG Energy Solution gained 2.60 percent, Samsung Biologics added 1.32 percent and Kia rose 0.71 percent. SK Square fell 2.51 percent, Hanwha Aerospace dropped 2.48 percent and Doosan Enerbility slid 2.78 percent.

The KOSDAQ closed at 1,141.51, up 4.87 points, or 0.43 percent, from the previous day.

The won-dollar exchange rate was 1,509.50 won, up 0.20 won from the previous day.