Seoul: South Korean shares dipped to the lowest in over three months on Tuesday, as investors remained concerned due to the sliding Korean won and U.S. policy uncertainties under the incoming Trump administration. The local currency sharply fell against the U.S. dollar, closing above 1,400 won for the first time in two years. According to Yonhap News Agency, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) lost 49.09 points, or 1.94 percent, to close at 2,482.57, marking the lowest since August 5, when it was at 2,441.55. Trade volume was notably heavy, with 719 million shares changing hands worth 12.3 trillion won (approximately US$8.7 billion), and the number of losing stocks significantly outweighing the winners by 787 to 120. The trading day saw foreigners selling a net 233 billion won worth of local stocks and institutions offloading a net 109 billion won, counteracted by a net purchase of 332.3 billion won by individuals. This investor behavior follows President-elect Donald Trump's plans to im pose high tariffs on imports and adopt protectionist trade measures, causing caution among market participants despite recent Wall Street rallies. In specific sectors, technology giant Samsung Electronics fell 3.64 percent to 53,000 won, its lowest closing price since September 28, 2022. The pharmaceutical sector also saw declines, with Samsung Biologics dropping 1.99 percent to 987,000 won and Celltrion decreasing by 4.71 percent to 165,900 won. Automakers were not spared from the downturn, as Hyundai Motor decreased 1.9 percent to 207,000 won, and Kia shed 2.85 percent to 91,900 won. The Korean won was trading at 1,403.5 against the U.S. dollar by 3:30 p.m., down 8.8 won from the previous session. The currency has been nearing the important psychological threshold of 1,400 against the dollar in recent trading sessions, influenced by Trump's recent presidential election victory. Bond markets saw prices rise as yields fell, with the yield on three-year Treasurys dropping 0.1 basis point to 2.90 percent, an d the return on the benchmark five-year government bonds decreasing by 0.9 basis point to 2.939 percent.