South Korean stocks closed 0.23 percent lower on Monday as investor sentiment was curbed by a gloomy prospect for Samsung Electronics' second-quarter earnings guidance due the next day, analysts said. The local currency lost ground against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) lost 4.54 points to 2,005.12. Trading volume was moderate at 224.1 million shares worth 2.98 trillion won (US$2.95 billion), with losers outpacing winners 460 to 358.