South Korean shares ended slightly lower Monday on concerns that investors may sell local stocks to buy China shares after a trading link between stock markets of Shanghai and Hong Kong.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 1. 51 points, or 0.08 percent, to close at 1,943.63. Trading volume stood at 274.53 million shares worth 4.26 trillion won (3.9 billion U.S. dollars).

Stock trading between Shanghai and Hong Kong began to be linked Monday to allow international investors to buy China shares directly. The 13 billion yuan (2.1 billion U.S. dollars) daily quota was filled before the close of the market.

The launch spurred speculation that retail investors would sell domestic stocks to invest directly in China shares.

Retail investors reduced stock holdings by 177.1 billion won, and foreigners sold a net 31.9 billion won worth of shares. Local institutions bought stocks worth 166.6 billion won, limiting the KOSPI's decline.

Japan's economic growth was weaker than expected, boosting worries about the global economy. Gross domestic product in the world's third-largest economy shrank 1.6 percent in the third quarter from a year earlier, missing market expectations of an over 2 percent growth.

Large-cap shares ended mixed. Memory chip giant SK Hynix tumbled 6.7 percent, and the No.1 auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis declined 1.1 percent. Top life insurer Samsung Life Insurance jumped 4.2 percent, and the biggest steelmaker POSCO advanced 3.6 percent.

The South Korean currency finished at 1,093.9 won against the greenback, up 6.6 won from Friday's close.

Bond prices ended higher. Yields on the liquid three-year treasury notes fell 1.1 basis points to 2.189 percent, and the return on the benchmark 10-year government bonds lost 1.0 basis point to 2.762 percent. Endi

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