As uncertainty surrounding the Middle East war persists, the KOSPI index, which plunged more than 4% after the market opened, is paring losses during the morning session on the 31st.

On the morning of the 31st, the KOSPI, KOSDAQ, and the won–dollar exchange rate are displayed on the electronic board in the dealing room at Hana Bank's headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul. That morning, the KOSPI opens at 5,143.75, down 133.55 points (2.53%) from the previous session. The KOSDAQ also starts trading at 1,094.48, down 12.57 points (1.14%). The won–dollar exchange rate opens higher at 1,519.9 won, up 4.2 won. /Courtesy of News1

At 11:20 a.m. that day, the KOSPI index was at 5,190.60, down 86.70 points (1.64%) from the previous trading day. Right after the market opened, the KOSPI index slumped more than 4%, briefly breaking below the 5,100 level.

In the main board, institutions and individuals went on a buying spree, apparently lifting the index back above the 5,100 level. Individuals have a net purchase of 1.1536 trillion won, and institutions 823.1 billion won. Foreign investors are selling 2.1183 trillion won.

Eight of the top 10 stocks by market cap on the main board are falling. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix are down 2% and 4%, respectively, and LG Energy Solution, Hyundai Motor, Hanwha Aerospace, SK Square, and Kia are also lower. Samsung Biologics and Doosan Enerbility are up about 3% and 1%, respectively.

At the same time, the KOSDAQ index is pointing to 1,087.17, down 1.80% (19.88 points) from the previous day.

Individuals are also leading the KOSDAQ market. While individuals have a net purchase of 151.1 billion won, foreign investors and institutions are net sellers of 83.5 billion won and 13.0 billion won, respectively.

Eight of the top 10 KOSDAQ market-cap stocks are declining. In particular, Sam Chun Dang Pharm, the No. 1 stock by market cap on KOSDAQ, is down about 24%. EcoPro, EcoPro BM, Alteogen, ABL Bio, Kolon TissueGene, LEENO Industrial, and LigaChem Biosciences are also falling. Rainbow Robotics and Peptron are gaining.

Meanwhile, in the Seoul foreign exchange market that day, the won-dollar exchange rate opened at 1,519.9 won, up 4.2 won from the previous closing price, and at one point during the session exceeded 1,522 won.

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