Seoul shares open lower amid lingering Middle East uncertainties | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK SEOUL, April 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks opened lower Thursday as investors still doubt whether a ceasefire deal between the U.S. and Iran will proceed amid woes over different versions of the agreement terms. Iran said it could withdraw from the ceasefire agreement, including its commitment to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, citing Israel's attacks on Lebanon, Washington said Israel's operations against Lebanon are not covered under the ceasefire agreement, signaling further uncertainties in the crisis. Officials work at the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul on April 8, 2026. (Yonhap) colin@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #stocks #open Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (LEAD) BTS tops Billboard albums chart for 2nd week with 'Arirang,' a first in K-pop BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho BTS tops Spotify weekly charts for 2nd week with new album 'Arirang' Lee voices hope for peace in Easter message Most Saved 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho (3rd LD) Lee says S. Korean road lined with cherry blossoms prev Seoul shares open lower amid lingering Middle East uncertainties Next Seoul shares open lower amid lingering Middle East uncertainties

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OK
SEOUL, April 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks opened lower Thursday as investors still doubt whether a ceasefire deal between the U.S. and Iran will proceed amid woes over different versions of the agreement terms.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 50.72 points, or 0.86 percent, to 5,821.62 as of 9:15 a.m.
On Wednesday, the main index soared nearly 7 percent after Washington and Tehran agreed to the two-week ceasefire, which sharply drove global crude prices lower.
Overnight, tensions in the Middle East persisted, with Israel vowing to continue its offensive against Lebanon, stressing that the country is not subject to the ceasefire agreement.
Iran said it could withdraw from the ceasefire agreement, including its commitment to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, citing Israel's attacks on Lebanon,
Washington said Israel's operations against Lebanon are not covered under the ceasefire agreement, signaling further uncertainties in the crisis.
Investors also worry that the Strait of Hormuz may remain effectively closed as the two sides still spar over the terms.
Top market cap Samsung Electronics lost 2.38 percent, and SK hynix moved down 1.84 percent.
Construction shares lost ground following the previous session's sharp gains, with Hyundai Engineering & Construction falling 4.03 percent and Daewoo Engineering & Construction losing 0.89 percent.
Leading oil refiner SK Innovation shed 0.33 percent, while S-Oil gained 0.27 percent.
Battery makers traded higher, with LG Energy Solution rising 0.99 percent and Samsung SDI moving up 1.17 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,481.7 won against the greenback at 9:15 a.m., down 11.1 won from the previous session.
Officials work at the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul on April 8, 2026. (Yonhap)
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)
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Seoul shares open lower amid lingering Middle East uncertainties
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Seoul shares open lower amid lingering Middle East uncertainties

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- Leading oil refiner SK Innovation shed 0.33 percent, while S-Oil gained 0.27 percent.

### Areas for Consideration
- Officials work at the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul on April 8, 2026. (Yonhap) colin@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #stocks #open Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (LEAD) BTS tops Billboard albums chart for 2nd week with 'Arirang,' a first in K-pop BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho BTS tops Spotify weekly charts for 2nd week with new album 'Arirang' Lee voices hope for peace in Easter message Most Saved 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho (3rd LD) Lee says S.

### Implications
- OK SEOUL, April 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks opened lower Thursday as investors still doubt whether a ceasefire deal between the U.S. and Iran will proceed amid woes over different versions of the agreement terms.
- Iran said it could withdraw from the ceasefire agreement, including its commitment to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, citing Israel's attacks on Lebanon, Washington said Israel's operations against Lebanon are not covered under the ceasefire agreement, signaling further uncertainties in the crisis.
- Investors also worry that the Strait of Hormuz may remain effectively closed as the two sides still spar over the terms.
- Officials work at the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul on April 8, 2026. (Yonhap) colin@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #stocks #open Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (LEAD) BTS tops Billboard albums chart for 2nd week with 'Arirang,' a first in K-pop BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho BTS tops Spotify weekly charts for 2nd week with new album 'Arirang' Lee voices hope for peace in Easter message Most Saved 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho (3rd LD) Lee says S.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers percent, korea, korean topics. Notable strengths include discussion of percent. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 542.