Stocks extend losses late Mon. morning on chip profit-taking - Yonhap News Agency

SEOUL, Aug. 24 (Yonhap) -- Seoul stocks extended losses late Monday morning as investors locked in profits from large-cap tech shares, including semiconductors.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shed 153.42 points, or 2.22 percent, to 6,759.53, as of 11:18 a.m.

After opening lower, the index came under selling pressure, as investors were disappointed over Samsung Electronics' shareholder return plan, Mirae Asset Securities analyst Kim Seok-hwan said.

The chipmaker announced a shareholder return plan targeting a payout of up to 110 trillion won (US$79.7 billion), including the distribution of cash dividends of around 30 trillion won in the third quarter.

Most market heavyweights, meanwhile, were trading lower.

Top-cap Samsung Electronics shed 7.28 percent, while rival SK hynix declined 0.64 percent.

Industry leader Hyundai Motor fell 1.08 percent, major bank operator KB Financial dipped 1.64 percent, and nuclear power plant builder Doosan Enerbility inched down 0.68 percent.

The Korean won was trading at 1,377.5 won against the U.S. dollar, as of 11:20 a.m., up 8.5 won against the U.S. dollar compared to the close of the previous stock market session.

Traders are seen working inside the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul, on Aug. 24, 2026. (Yonhap)