[Digital Today reporter Sangyeop Oh (오상엽)] South Korea's KOSPI extended losses for a fourth session, weighed by uncertainty surrounding the situation involving Iran. Foreign investors dumped more than 1 trillion won worth of shares into the market.

The KOSPI on Tuesday closed down 224.84 points, or 4.26 percent, at 5,052.46. It opened down 133.55 points, or 2.53 percent, at 5,143.75.

Losses then deepened and the index slid as far as 5,042.99, nearing its lowest level this year and almost breaking below 5,000, but it narrowly held the level by the close.

Foreign investors led the decline, selling a net 3.84 trillion won. It marked net selling for a ninth straight session. Retail investors bought on dips, posting net purchases of 2.44 trillion won, while institutions also stepped in with net buying of 1.01 trillion won to help limit losses.

Top stocks by market capitalisation also broadly stayed weak.

SK Hynix posted the biggest drop, falling 66,000 won, or 7.56 percent, to 807,000 won. SK Square also ended down 43,500 won, or 8.53 percent, at 466,500 won.

Samsung Electronics fell 9,100 won, or 5.16 percent, to 167,200 won. Hyundai Motor, Hanwha Aerospace, LG Energy Solution and Kia also fell 5.11 percent, 4.51 percent, 3.78 percent and 4.16 percent, respectively.

The won was at 1,531.70 per dollar, up 14.20 won, or 0.94 percent, from the previous day.