Roundup: S.Korean shares fall on external uncertainties

South Korean shares declined first in three sessions Monday on external uncertainties such as monetary policy meeting in Europe and the United States and general elections in Greece.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) inched down 3.75 points, or 0.19 percent, to 1,920.95 at the close. Trading volume stood at 308.85 million shares worth 3.5 trillion won (3.24 billion U.S. dollars).

Foreigners led the market decline by selling a net 85.6 billion won worth of stocks ahead of major events in the United States and Europe this month.

The European Central Bank (ECB) is set to hold a regular policy meeting on Dec. 22 amid expectations that it may expand its liquidity-providing program on lower global oil prices, which fell below 50 dollars per barrel.

Greece will hold general elections on Dec. 25, sparking speculation over its possible exit from the euro zone, and the U.S. Federal Reserve is scheduled to have a monetary policy meeting from Dec. 27 to 28 when it may hint at its first interest rate hike for this year.

Institutional and retail investors were net sellers in the market, but their combined sales stood merely at about 10 billion won.

Most large-cap shares lost ground. Top automaker Hyundai Motor slid 1.4 percent, and its affiliate Kia Motors closed in negative territory. The biggest life insurer Samsung Life Insurance declined 3.7 percent, and leading banking groups ended bearish. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics inched up 0.1 percent and memory chip giant SK Hynix rose about 1 percent.

The South Korean currency finished at 1,081.4 won against the greenback, up 8.6 won from Friday's close.

Bond prices ended higher. Yields on the liquid three-year treasury notes fell 5.0 basis points to 2.006 percent, and the return on the benchmark 5-year government bonds lost 6.9 basis points to 2.152 percent. Endi