Seoul, June 08 (QNA) - South Korean stocks nosedived more than 8 percent Monday, extending their losing streak to a third consecutive session, as investors dumped market heavyweights on renewed woes over artificial intelligence (AI) profitability and concerns over a possible hawkish pivot of the US Federal Reserve.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) plunged 676.18 points, or 8.29 percent, to close at 7,484.41, after falling as low as 7,442.73.

The Korea Exchange (KRX) had activated a circuit breaker for the KOSPI about three minutes after opening, halting trading for 20 minutes, and implemented a consecutive sell-side sidecar.

The KRX had also issued a sell-side sidecar for the secondary KOSDAQ market about six minutes after opening, suspending trading for five minutes, and activated a circuit breaker for the index later in the day after the KOSDAQ fell by more than eight percent.

In the currency market, the South Korean won strengthened against the US dollar, closing at 1,535.0 won per dollar, up 4.1 won from the previous session. The won had opened at 1,555.2 won per dollar, its lowest level since March 6, 2009, at the height of the global financial crisis. (QNA)