South Korean stocks plunge almost 5 percent in early trading

South Korean shares plunged early Monday, falling as much as nearly 5 percent after a sharp decline Friday on Wall Street. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 72.74 points, or 3.6 percent, to 1898.36 after almost 30 minutes of trading. Earlier in the session the Kospi fell as much as 4.8 percent before paring losses.