By Park Jung-youn

Seoul stocks closed sharply lower across the board as Samsung Electronics and other tech and blue chips led the downturn in line with their weaker U.S. peers amid concerns about weaker earnings and uncertain economic prospects, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed down 22.22 points, or 2.35 percent, at 925.00, for a daily low of 917.41. It is the lowest closing level since Feb. 2, when it closed at 921.44. The KOSDAQ index also closed down 19.35 points, or 4.31 percent, at 429.73.

The stock market fell for six consecutive days as foreign investors continued to sell Samsung Electronics and other major tech stocks.

Samsung Electronics was among the weakest performers, hit by its weak quarterly earnings released last week. Samsung Electronics closed down 3.15 percent at 476,000.

``Concerns about the slowing U.S. economy and the uncertain corporate earnings outlook weighed down the broader market,’’ Samsung Securities analyst Oh Hyun-suk said.

Tokyo and other Asian markets also plunged as worries about territorial dispute between Japan, China and South Korea scared foreign investors away from the Asian markets, Oh added.

Analysts said that the market is expected to remain weaker for the time being as investors are worried about the possible hard landing of the U.S. economy.

They said the market may post a modest technical rebound in coming sessions but any gains will be limited by uncertain economic and earnings prospects. They said the market may find support at 900-920 points.