Seoul: Seoul stocks were trading sharply lower late Monday mornings as investors sold off tech heavyweights to lock in profits following a record surge the previous session. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 216.06 points, or 3.28 percent, to 6,379.39 as of 11:20 a.m.

According to Yonhap News Agency, after opening sharply lower, the index extended losses as foreign and institutional investors went profit taking following a nearly 18 percent rise the previous session. The sell-off was led by market top-cap Samsung Electronics, which tumbled 6.29 percent, and its industry rival SK hynix, which also shed 6.29 percent.

Battery maker LG Energy Solutions dipped 2.44 percent, bio firm Samsung Biologics declined 2.69 percent, and portal operator Naver inched down 0.48 percent. These declines were indicative of a broader trend as investors reevaluated their positions after the substantial gains witnessed earlier.

The Korean won was trading at 1,427.4 won against the U.S. dollar, up 8.1 won from the close of stock trading on Friday. This currency movement reflects ongoing adjustments in the financial markets amid the current sell-off.