[THE INVESTOR] Korean shares ended lower on Jan.8 as investors watched closely to see if ongoing US-China trade talks could yield productive results. The won fell against the US dollar.

The benchmark KOSPI fell 11.83 points, or 0.58 percent, to 2,025.27. Trading volume was moderate at 390.7 million shares, worth 4.72 trillion won (US$4.20 billion), with decliners outnumbering advancers 451 to 370.

Institutions and foreigners sold a combined 36.24 billion won worth of stocks, offsetting 35.84 billion won worth of stock purchases by individuals.

The Korean won traded at 1,124.10 won against the US greenback, down 5.50 won from the previous session’s close.

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