South Korea's benchmark stock index (KOSPI) fell 0.5% on Friday, closing near 6,195 points, ending a three-day winning streak. Investors took profits after recent gains and remained cautious about the situation in the Middle East. The index had broken through the 6,200-point mark for the first time since the start of the US-Iran conflict in the previous session, triggering profit-taking. Shares of Samsung Electronics (-0.3%), SK Hynix (-0.6%), Hanwha Aerospace (-4.6%), Doosan Energy (-1.5%), and Woori Financial Group (-0.4%) all declined. Despite US indications of progress in ceasefire negotiations involving Iran and a temporary ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon easing geopolitical tensions, persistent uncertainty weighed on market sentiment. While these developments boosted hopes for de-escalation, risk appetite remained subdued due to the unclear prospects for a long-term agreement. Meanwhile, high energy prices and supply concerns continued to weigh on South Korea's prospects as a major energy importer.