Seoul: Seoul stocks extended losses late Monday morning as investors locked in profits from large-cap tech shares, including semiconductors. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shed 153.42 points, or 2.22 percent, to 6,759.53, as of 11:18 a.m.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the index opened lower and faced selling pressure due to investors' disappointment over Samsung Electronics' shareholder return plan. The chipmaker announced a return plan aiming for a payout of up to 110 trillion won (US$79.7 billion), which includes distributing cash dividends of around 30 trillion won in the third quarter.

Most market heavyweights were trading lower during this period. Top-cap Samsung Electronics saw a decline of 7.28 percent, while its competitor SK hynix fell 0.64 percent. Other industry leaders like Hyundai Motor decreased by 1.08 percent, major bank operator KB Financial dipped 1.64 percent, and nuclear power plant builder Doosan Enerbility inched down 0.68 percent.

The Korean won was trading at 1,377.5 won against the U.S. dollar, as of 11:20 a.m., marking an increase of 8.5 won against the U.S. dollar compared to the previous stock market session's close.