South Korean shares closed down Friday as market sentiment worried uncertainties in foreign markets, analysts said. The benchmark Korea Composite Price Index (KOSPI) dropped 2.49 points, or 0.14 percent, to end at 1,737.03, according to the bourse operator Korea Exchange (KRX). Despite a strong start, the index turned down as foreign buying focused on automobile shares mainly due to lingering uncertainties in European fiscal debts and possible liquidity withdrawal in China. While institutions and individuals stayed net-sellers, individuals pulled up the index with stronge net purchase. The junior bourse KOSDAQ, however, saw a riase, up 0.04 point, or 0.01 percent, from the last session to end trading at 516.51, said the KRX. The derivatives markets went down, with the KOSPI 200 Futures market shedding 0.55 point, or 0.24 percent, to close at 227.85, according to the bourse operator. The local currency, on the other hand, continued to stay strong against the U.S. dollar, although the forex rate hitting 1,108.70 won against one U.S. dollar, down 0.4 won from the previous session. Bond prices went up with the yield on three-year Treasury notes moving down 0.01 percentage point to mark 3.76 percent. 