Seoul stocks drop nearly 4.5% amid dashed hope for swift end to Middle East war

Seoul stocks fell sharply Thursday, as US President Donald Trump's renewed threat of strikes against Iran rattled investor sentiment and pushed up global oil prices. The Korean won weakened against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 244.65 points, or 4.47 percent, to 5,234.05. The index opened more than 1 percent higher, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street, amid hopes for an end to the monthlong war in the Middle East, which began in late February following U