[THE INVESTOR] Korean stocks retreated on Oct. 15 as investors worried about global trade tension and its repercussions for growth prospects in China. The local currency weakened against the US dollar.  

The benchmark KOSPI lost 16.73 points, or 0.77 percent, to close at 2,145.12. Trading volume was low at 255.81 million shares worth 4.61 trillion won (US$4.06 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 525 to 309.

Institutions dumped a net 327.05 billion won worth of local stocks, while foreigners and retail investors picked up a net 22.75 billion won and 298.99 billion won, respectively.

The Korean currency closed at 1,134.30 won against the US dollar, down 2.90 won from the previous trading session.

By Song Seung-hyun and newswires (ssh@heraldcorp.com)