On the main board, foreign investors sold a net 197 billion won ($154.4 million) worth of shares, ending their buying spree in the past nine sessions.

Local institutions sold a net 23 billion won and retail investors bought a net 215 billion won.

Decliners led advancers 527 to 277, with 66 ending flat.

Trading volume stood at 427 million shares worth 4.96 trillion won, compared with 451 million shares worth 5.0 trillion won on Tuesday.

The KOSPI 200 September futures index KSc1 ended unchanged at 185.00, while the KOSPI 200 spot index .KS200 lost 0.38 point to 184.73.

Move on day -0.22 percent

12-month high 1,627.87 24 JULY 2008

12-month low 892.16 27 OCT 2008

Change on yr +27.26 percent

All time high 2,085.45 1 NOV 2007

All time low 93.10 6 JAN 1981 ($1=1275.9 Won) (Editing by Jacqueline Wong)