SEOUL, March 23 (Xinhua) -- A sell-side sidecar was triggered on South Korea's main stock market on Monday after benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) 200 futures plunged more than 5 percent during intraday trading.

An employee works at the dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul, South Korea, March 4, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)

The Korea Exchange said the temporary halt on program sell orders was activated at 9:18:23 a.m. local time. At the time of activation, the KOSPI 200 futures index stood at 818.95, down 5.05 percent from the previous session's close.

KOSPI opened sharply lower on Monday as investors remained cautious amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and heightened market volatility.