Key Korean stock index down 3.28 pc to fall below 800

SEOUL, Oct. 5 Kyodo Korean stocks dropped sharply Tuesday with the key index slipping below the 800 level for the first time in four months amid rumors of tax probes into the affiliates of conglomerates, reports Yonhap.

The plunge came in spite of upward trends in the U.S. and Japanese stock markets and a sudden fall in international oil prices.

The benchmark index shed 26.82 points, or 3.28%, from Monday to 791.55, the lowest since June 3 when it posted 778.21.

A total of 285 million shares were traded on value of 3.21 trillion won.

Declining issues led rising ones 758 to 91 while 39 remained unchanged.

Stocks of Hanjin Group affiliates plummeted, some down by the daily limit of 15%, and Hyundai Group's stock also fell on a report that the group allegedly profited from secret information related to North Korea.

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