(LEAD) Seoul shares down for 2nd day on prolonged Hormuz shutdown; won declines | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK (ATTN: ADDS details throughout) SEOUL, March 13 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks closed lower Friday as investors cautiously watched situations involving the Strait of Hormuz after the new Iranian leader vowed to maintain the blockade of the sea channel. Lee Kyoung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities, said the geopolitical tension continues to weigh down on the market, with global crude prices rising on reports that Iran has installed mines in the waterway. "Sectors such as nuclear energy, meanwhile, benefited from the passage of a special bill on U.S. investment," Lee added. This photo, taken March 13, 2026, shows a dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul. (Yonhap) colin@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #stocks #summary Articles with issue keywords Most Liked U.S. transport aircraft spotted departing Osan Air Base amid Patriot relocation speculation (News Focus) Topping 10 mln, 'The King's Warden' offers rare boost to Korean cinema (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats (News Focus) How 'The King's Warden' captured 10 mln Korean viewers 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Most Saved (News Focus) How 'The King's Warden' captured 10 mln Korean viewers (News Focus) Topping 10 mln, 'The King's Warden' offers rare boost to Korean cinema U.S. transport aircraft spotted departing Osan Air Base amid Patriot relocation speculation 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Lee says to swiftly introduce fuel price cap as Mideast crisis intensifies Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Gov't to implement fuel price cap system starting midnight to help ease cost burdens (3rd LD) PM calls on Vance to work together to quickly implement deals on nuclear subs, energy, shipbuilding (2nd LD) Vance welcomes Nat'l Assembly passage of U.S. investment bill: Seoul's PM office (2nd LD) National Assembly passes special bill on U.S. investment pledges with bipartisan support (LEAD) U.S. sanctions 6 individuals, 2 entities for roles in N. Most Viewed More Most Viewed Photos N.K. leader inspects munitions factory N.K. leader inspects munitions factory N.K. leader inspects munitions factory N.K. leader inspects munitions factory prev (LEAD) Seoul shares down for 2nd day on prolonged Hormuz shutdown; won declines Next (LEAD) Seoul shares down for 2nd day on prolonged Hormuz shutdown; won declines

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(ATTN: ADDS details throughout)
SEOUL, March 13 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks closed lower Friday as investors cautiously watched situations involving the Strait of Hormuz after the new Iranian leader vowed to maintain the blockade of the sea channel. The local currency fell against the greenback.
The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) moved down 96.01 points, or 1.72 percent, to close at 5,487.24. The KOSPI fell 0.48 percent Thursday.
Trade volume was moderate at 893.6 billion shares worth 22.9 trillion won (US$15.3 billion), with losers outpacing gainers 552 to 336.
Foreigners sold a net 1.46 trillion won, while individuals bought a net 2.45 trillion won. Institutions offloaded a net 1 trillion won.
Global crude prices continued to fluctuate, surpassing $100 per barrel again after Mojtaba Khamenei, who was named to succeed his father as Iran's new leader, vowed to continue the blockade at the crucial waterway.
"While the U.S. holds clear dominance in military power, the actual upper hand appears to lie with Iran due to the Strait of Hormuz," Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, said.
Lee Kyoung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities, said the geopolitical tension continues to weigh down on the market, with global crude prices rising on reports that Iran has installed mines in the waterway.
"Sectors such as nuclear energy, meanwhile, benefited from the passage of a special bill on U.S. investment," Lee added.
The National Assembly on Thursday passed a special bill on South Korea's $350 billion investment pledge to the U.S. under a trade deal between the two nations.
In Seoul, top tech giant Samsung Electronics slipped 2.34 percent to 183,500 won, and SK hynix lost 2.15 percent to 910,000 won.
Oil refiners finished weaker, with SK Innovation falling 7.48 percent to 112,600 won and S-Oil sliding 8.47 percent to 108,000 won.
Due to global oil supply disruptions, investors scooped up nuclear power plant builders, with Daewoo Engineering & Construction soaring 17.78 percent to 12,320 won and Hyundai Engineering & Construction adding 5.59 percent to 164,400 won.
Game developer Krafton shot up 8.19 percent to 244,500 won amid reports it has joined ties with Hanwha Aerospace, South Korea's leading defense systems company, to develop physical artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.
The Korean won was trading at 1,493.7 won against the U.S. dollar, down 12.5 won from the previous session, as of 3:30 p.m.
This photo, taken March 13, 2026, shows a dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul. (Yonhap)
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)
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(LEAD) Seoul shares down for 2nd day on prolonged Hormuz shutdown; won declines

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- Oil refiners finished weaker, with SK Innovation falling 7.48 percent to 112,600 won and S-Oil sliding 8.47 percent to 108,000 won.

### Areas for Consideration
- This photo, taken March 13, 2026, shows a dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul. (Yonhap) colin@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #stocks #summary Articles with issue keywords Most Liked U.S. transport aircraft spotted departing Osan Air Base amid Patriot relocation speculation (News Focus) Topping 10 mln, 'The King's Warden' offers rare boost to Korean cinema (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats (News Focus) How 'The King's Warden' captured 10 mln Korean viewers 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Most Saved (News Focus) How 'The King's Warden' captured 10 mln Korean viewers (News Focus) Topping 10 mln, 'The King's Warden' offers rare boost to Korean cinema U.S. transport aircraft spotted departing Osan Air Base amid Patriot relocation speculation 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Lee says to swiftly introduce fuel price cap as Mideast crisis intensifies Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Gov't to implement fuel price cap system starting midnight to help ease cost burdens (3rd LD) PM calls on Vance to work together to quickly implement deals on nuclear subs, energy, shipbuilding (2nd LD) Vance welcomes Nat'l Assembly passage of U.S. investment bill: Seoul's PM office (2nd LD) National Assembly passes special bill on U.S. investment pledges with bipartisan support (LEAD) U.S. sanctions 6 individuals, 2 entities for roles in N.

### Implications
- This photo, taken March 13, 2026, shows a dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul. (Yonhap) colin@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #stocks #summary Articles with issue keywords Most Liked U.S. transport aircraft spotted departing Osan Air Base amid Patriot relocation speculation (News Focus) Topping 10 mln, 'The King's Warden' offers rare boost to Korean cinema (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats (News Focus) How 'The King's Warden' captured 10 mln Korean viewers 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Most Saved (News Focus) How 'The King's Warden' captured 10 mln Korean viewers (News Focus) Topping 10 mln, 'The King's Warden' offers rare boost to Korean cinema U.S. transport aircraft spotted departing Osan Air Base amid Patriot relocation speculation 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Lee says to swiftly introduce fuel price cap as Mideast crisis intensifies Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Gov't to implement fuel price cap system starting midnight to help ease cost burdens (3rd LD) PM calls on Vance to work together to quickly implement deals on nuclear subs, energy, shipbuilding (2nd LD) Vance welcomes Nat'l Assembly passage of U.S. investment bill: Seoul's PM office (2nd LD) National Assembly passes special bill on U.S. investment pledges with bipartisan support (LEAD) U.S. sanctions 6 individuals, 2 entities for roles in N.
- Most Viewed More Most Viewed Photos N.K. leader inspects munitions factory N.K. leader inspects munitions factory N.K. leader inspects munitions factory N.K. leader inspects munitions factory prev (LEAD) Seoul shares down for 2nd day on prolonged Hormuz shutdown; won declines Next (LEAD) Seoul shares down for 2nd day on prolonged Hormuz shutdown; won declines

### Expert Commentary
This article covers won, percent, seoul topics. Notable strengths include discussion of won. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 693.