They said fresh concerns that Beijing might take further measures to slow its runaway economy added to the downward pressure, with many local companies having extensive business ties with China.
Disappointing guidance from the world's top wafer foundry, TSMC, for first-quarter sales dampened the key high-tech sector.
The KOSPI index lost 11.03 points at 1,371.33, after trading between 1,366.10 and 1,378.48. It ended the week with a gain of 10.77 points or 0.79 percent. Trading was thin, with volume at 150 million shares.
HONG KONG
Hong Kong share prices closed sharply lower, falling 1.88 percent as investors sold off property and China stocks following Wall Street's sharp drop overnight, dealers said.
They said the weak performance on Wall Street and concerns Beijing might take more measures in an effort to slow its runaway economy encouraged investors to take profits after recent record gains.
The Hang Seng index lost 388.70 points at 20,281.13, off a low of 20,204.67 and a high of 20,457.48. For the week, the index was down 46.59 points or 0.23 percent.
SHANGHAI
Chinese share prices closed 0.88 percent higher as heavyweight banks shrugged off early weakness, helping to boost market sentiment shaken by sharp falls on Thursday, dealers said.
They said the turnaround was significant, with stocks down 2.85 percent in the morning session after Thursday's near 4 percent fall on concerns the government would take fresh measures to slow the fast growing economy.
With China racking up growth of 10.7 percent last year, the fastest in 11 years despite Beijing's efforts to cool the pace, officials had warned of the need for restraint and voiced concerns over the amount of funds pouring into the record-breaking stockmarket.
Dealers said investors took advantage of the downturn to get into the high-flying banks but trade could continue volatile in the short-term as the market and the government go over their options.
The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, which covers both A- and B-shares, closed up 25.19 points at 2,882.56.
SINGAPORE
Singapore share prices closed 0.67 percent lower as investors took profits after the market's recent record-breaking run, dealers said.
The main Straits Times Index fell 20.89 points to 3,087.74. Losers led gainers 456 to 263, with 651 stocks unchanged.
"Most institutional investors who have recently pumped in funds are in for the long haul," Fraser Securities research chief Najeeb Jarhom said in a note to clients.
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