South Korea's benchmark stock index has fallen sharply following declines on Wall Street amid worries over the U.S. economy and ahead of an interest rate decision by the Bank of Korea, the Associated Press reported.
The Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 44.15 points, or 4 percent, to 1,048.07 after about 15 minutes of trading Friday. The Kospi at one point had declined as much as 4.8 percent.
In New York on Thursday, the Dow Jones industrial average fell 443.48, or 4.85 percent, to 8,695.79 amid concerns about widespread economic weakness.
The losses combined with another decline Wednesday represent the Dow's worst two-day percentage decline since the October 1987 crash.
Investors in South Korea were awaiting an interest rate decision by the Bank of Korea's policy committee.