- Bangladesh launches $5bn graft probe into Hasina's family
- US probes China chip industry on 'anticompetitive' concerns
- Biden commutes sentences for 37 of 40 federal death row inmates
- Clock ticks down on France government nomination
- Mozambique on edge as judges rule on disputed election
- Mobile cinema brings Tunisians big screen experience
- Honda and Nissan to launch merger talks
- Police arrest suspect who set woman on fire in New York subway
- China vows 'cooperation' over ship linked to severed Baltic Sea cables
- Australian tennis star Purcell provisionally suspended for doping
- Luxury Western goods line Russian stores, three years into sanctions
- Wallace and Gromit return with comic warning about AI dystopia
- Philippine military says will acquire US Typhon missile system
- Afghan bread, the humble centrepiece of every meal
- Honda and Nissan expected to begin merger talks
- 'Draconian' Vietnam internet law heightens free speech fears
- Israeli women mobilise against ultra-Orthodox military exemptions
- Asian markets track Wall St rally as US inflation eases rate worries
- Tens of thousands protest in Serbian capital over fatal train station accident
- Trump vows to 'stop transgender lunacy' as a top priority
- 'Who's next?': Misinformation and online threats after US CEO slaying
- Only 12 trucks delivered food, water in North Gaza Governorate since October: Oxfam
- Langers edge Tiger and son Charlie in PNC Championship playoff
- Explosive batsman Jacobs gets New Zealand call-up for Sri Lanka series
- Holders PSG edge through on penalties in French Cup
- Daniels throw five TDs as Commanders down Eagles
- Atalanta fight back to take top spot in Serie A, Roma hit five
- Mancini admits regrets over leaving Italy for Saudi Arabia
- Run machine Ayub shines as Pakistan sweep South Africa
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin
- 'Incredible' Liverpool must stay focused: Slot
- Maresca 'absolutely happy' as title-chasing Chelsea drop points in Everton draw
- Salah happy wherever career ends after inspiring Liverpool rout
- Three and easy as Dortmund move into Bundesliga top six
- Liverpool hit Spurs for six, Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth
- Netanyahu vows to act with 'force, determination' against Yemen's Huthis
- Ali hat-trick helps champions Ahly crush Belouizdad
- Salah stars as rampant Liverpool hit Spurs for six
- Syria's new leader says all weapons to come under 'state control'
- 'Sonic 3' zips to top of N.America box office
- Rome's Trevi Fountain reopens to limited crowds
- Mbappe strikes as Real Madrid down Sevilla
- Pope again condemns 'cruelty' of Israeli strikes on Gaza
- Lonely this Christmas: Vendee skippers in low-key celebrations on high seas
- Troubled Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth
- 2 US pilots shot down over Red Sea in 'friendly fire' incident: military
- Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth, Chelsea held at Everton
- France awaits fourth government of the year
- Death toll in Brazil bus crash rises to 41
- Odermatt stays hot to break Swiss World Cup wins record
Seoul stocks drop on S.Korea woes; most Asian markets rise
South Korean stocks fell more than one percent Monday as the country was racked with political uncertainty after President Yoon Suk Yeol averted impeachment following his brief imposition of martial law last week.
The retreat came on a broadly upbeat day for Asian markets despite another record on Wall Street, while traders were also awaiting a high-level economic meeting in China and keeping tabs on Syria after President Bashar al-Assad's removal.
Equities in Seoul pared their initial losses of more than two percent but investors remained on edge after a near-total boycott of Saturday's impeachment vote by Yoon's People Power Party (PPP) doomed it to failure.
However, the main opposition party said Sunday it would try again, while police arrested the defence minister in charge of the martial law operation and the interior minister resigned.
They and Yoon are being investigated for alleged insurrection.
The crisis has fuelled concerns about Asia's number four economy, which was already struggling and faces further pain as Donald Trump heads back to the White House threatening to resume his hardball trade policy.
Michael Wan at MUFG said the hit to the country's markets "may include slower tourism inflows, weaker domestic demand, and a dent to corporate sentiment, especially if street protests become more vociferous and the Budget passage remains in stalemate".
"South Korea was already one of the more vulnerable forex markets in Asia to Trump 2.0's policies, and the political uncertainty also comes at a juncture just when leadership is needed to navigate these significant global policy shifts."
The won was trading at around 1,431 per dollar Monday, compared with 1,413 on Friday.
Shanghai and Hong Kong stocks advanced as top Chinese officials prepare to hold a two-day economic work conference to outline their targets and stimulus plans for next year.
The gathering comes as Beijing prepares for Trump's second presidency amid concerns of another painful trade war between the superpowers.
Data released Monday showed Chinese consumer prices rose less than expected last month, reinforcing the need for more support following a raft of measures at the end of September.
Elsewhere in Asia, Tokyo, Taipei, Jakarta and Wellington also rose while Sydney and Singapore fell.
Traders had been given a healthy lead from Wall Street, where the S&P 500 and Nasdaq both ended at record highs after figures showed the US economy added more jobs than forecast last month.
Focus is now on the Federal Reserve's policy meeting next week when it is tipped to cut interest rates again.
Meanwhile, the euro remained on the back foot but slightly stronger than last week when it took a hit after France's new government fell after a no-confidence vote.
President Emmanuel Macron, who had faced calls to step down, lifted sentiment when he said would serve out his term and that a budget could be passed in the coming weeks.
Macron held talks with French political leaders on the left and right on Friday as he sought to quickly name a new prime minister after Michel Barnier's ouster over his 2025 budget plan.
- Key figures around 0230 GMT -
Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 0.3 percent at 39,197.57 (break)
Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: FLAT at 19,868.74
Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.5 percent at 3,419.69
Seoul - Kospi Index: DOWN 1.7 percent at 2,387.14
Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0554 from $1.0566 on Friday
Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2741 from $1.2740
Dollar/yen: DOWN at 149.95 yen from 149.97 yen
Euro/pound: DOWN at 82.85 from 82.93 pence
West Texas Intermediate: UP 0.5 percent at $67.56 per barrel
Brent North Sea Crude: UP 0.5 percent at $71.46 per barrel
New York - Dow: DOWN 0.3 percent at 44,642.52 points (close)
London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.5 percent at 8,308.61 (close)
L.E.Campos--PC