Seoul stocks open markedly lower amid escalating Middle East conflict

## Summary
SEOUL, March 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks opened markedly lower Tuesday as U.S. President Donald Trump renewed threats against Iran, with no end in sight to the monthlong war in the Middle East. On Monday (U.S. time), Trump threatened to "completely obliterate" Iran's Kharg Island, a key oil hub, as well as its power plants and oil wells, if a peace deal with the United States is not reached "shortly." The conflict, which began in late February following the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, has been escalating, as Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen joined the war, stoking fears of further disruptions to global oil supplies. President Donald Trump speaks during the National Republican Congressional Committee's annual fundraising dinner at Union Station in Washington, D.C., on March 25, 2026, in this image released by AFP. (Yonhap) graceoh@yna.co.kr (END)

## Article Content
SEOUL, March 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks opened markedly lower Tuesday as U.S. President Donald Trump renewed threats against Iran, with no end in sight to the monthlong war in the Middle East.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) opened at 5,143.75, down 133.55 points, or 2.53 percent.

On Monday (U.S. time), Trump threatened to "completely obliterate" Iran's Kharg Island, a key oil hub, as well as its power plants and oil wells, if a peace deal with the United States is not reached "shortly."

The conflict, which began in late February following the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, has been escalating, as Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen joined the war, stoking fears of further disruptions to global oil supplies.



U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the National Republican Congressional Committee's annual fundraising dinner at Union Station in Washington, D.C., on March 25, 2026, in this image released by AFP. (Yonhap)

graceoh@yna.co.kr

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### Expert Commentary
This article covers iran, trump, oil topics. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 155.