South Korean stocks dipped more than 2 percent on Tuesday, as investor sentiment worsened over dimming hopes for recovery from the coronavirus pandemic in major economies. The Korean won fell against the US dollar.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) tumbled 56.8 points, or 2.38 percent, to close at 2,332.59.

Trading volume was high at about 1 billion shares worth some 17.5 trillion won ($15 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 816 to 80.

The KOSPI plunged after losing nearly 1 percent in the previous session.

The decline is largely blamed on strong foreign and institutional sell-off, driven by slow progress in US stimulus talks and fears of economic lockdown in Europe, analysts said.

"Fears of possible lockdown in Europe and the stalled (US) stimulus talks seem to have worsened the tech valuation problem at home," Choi Yoo-joon, a researcher at Shinhan Financial Investment, said.

Foreigners sold a net 230 billion won and institutions dumped a net 769 billion won. Individuals bought a net 992 billion won.

Stocks losses widened after US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said a full recovery from the pandemic will take a considerably long time. 

In a related move, former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said the United States may experience "at least one more cycle" of the virus by the end of the year.

The KOSPI's fall was further accelerated by investors' profit-taking before the Chuseok holiday, from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4, when US political uncertainties are expected to rise, local analysts said.

In Seoul, most large caps closed lower.

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics lost 1.69 percent to 58,200 won, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix dipped 3.79 percent to 81,300 won.

Top pharmaceutical firm Samsung Biologics retreated 1.22 percent to 731,000 won, and Celltrion shed 3.77 percent to 268,000 won.

Internet portal giant Naver dipped 2.57 percent to 284,500 won, with its rival Kakao down 3.16 percent to 353,000 won.

Leading chemical maker LG Chem gained 1.91 percent to 639,000 won, and rechargeable battery maker Samsung SDI edged up 0.11 percent to 446,500 won.

Hyundai Motor, the country's largest automaker, shed 2.97 percent to 179,900 won, while top steelmaker Posco advanced 1.83 percent to 194,500 won.

The local currency closed at 1,165 won per dollar, down 7 won from the previous session's close.

Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, closed higher. The yield on three-year Treasurys fell 0.7 basis point to 0.897 percent, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bond lost 2 basis points to 1.177 percent. (Yonhap)