Seoul shares open lower amid lingering Middle East uncertainties

South Korean stocks opened lower Thursday as investors still doubt whether a ceasefire deal between the US and Iran will proceed amid woes over different versions of the agreement terms. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 50.72 points, or 0.86 percent, to 5,821.62 as of 9:15 a.m. On Wednesday, the main index soared nearly 7 percent after Washington and Tehran agreed to the two-week ceasefire, which sharply drove global crude prices lower.