[DigitalToday reporter Sangyeop Oh] South Korea's KOSPI fell nearly 3 percent on March 30 as tensions rose over the Iran war, ending in the 5,270 range.

The KOSPI closed down 161.59 points, or 2.97 percent, at 5,277.30. The index opened down 257.07 points, or 4.73 percent, at 5,181.80 and extended losses to as low as 5,151.22 early in the session, before trimming part of the decline.

Foreign investors net sold 2.1299 trillion won. Retail investors net bought 898.8 billion won and institutions net bought 881.4 billion won. Foreigners also dumped more than 1 trillion won worth of shares on the day, setting a record of net selling more than 1 trillion won for eight straight sessions.

Most top market-cap stocks ended lower. SK Hynix posted the biggest drop, falling 49,000 won, or 5.31 percent, to 873,000 won, and Samsung Electronics closed down 3,400 won, or 1.89 percent, at 176,300 won.

SK Square fell 6.25 percent, Hyundai Motor dropped 5.15 percent, Samsung Biologics declined 4.73 percent, Doosan Enerbility slid 3.98 percent, Kia fell 2.76 percent and Hanwha Aerospace ended down 2.02 percent.

LG Energy Solution rose 15,500 won, or 3.93 percent, to 410,000 won, the only stock to end higher.

The Kosdaq closed down 34.61 points, or 3.03 percent, at 1,106.90.

The won-dollar exchange rate rose 6.90 won, or 0.46 percent, from the previous session to 1,515.90 won.