Seoul shares end flat amid prolonged Iran crisis; won declines

South Korean stocks pared earlier losses to close nearly unchanged Friday on a growing appetite for autos and defense firms amid the ongoing Middle East crisis. The local currency fell against the US dollar. Starting 1.66 percent lower, the Korea Composite Stock Price Index turned positive in the afternoon to close at 5,584.87, up 0.02 percent, or 0.97 point. The index has suffered an extreme rout this week in the wake of the Middle East conflict, tumbling 7.24 percent and 12.06 percent Tuesday

By The Korea Herald