SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks ended lower Tuesday as foreigners dumped local stocks on profit-taking. The won fell against the dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 38.44 points, or 1.54 percent, to 2,453.31. The main index ended in negative territory for a third straight session.
Foreigners sold a net 281.21 billion won (US$258 million) worth of stocks. But institutions and individuals bought a combined 278 billion won worth of shares.
Most large-cap stocks declined across the board.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics Co. fell 1.04 percent to 2,371,000 won a day after a Seoul court allowed the chip giant's Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong to be released on probation. Top carmaker Hyundai Motor Co. fell 0.94 percent to 157,500 won.
The local currency closed at 1,091.50 won against the dollar, down 3.00 won from the previous session's close.
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