SEOUL, July 24 (Yonhap) -- Seoul stocks snapped their three-day winning streak to plummet nearly 6 percent on Friday, as escalating tensions in the Middle East sapped risk appetite.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 406.27 points, or 5.72 percent, to 6,690.62 after falling as low as 6,650.41.

The sharp decline triggered the country's bourse operator to suspend program trading for five minutes in early trading.

"Risk appetite retreated amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. The brakes have failed and the local stock market is continuing volatile trading," said Lee Kyoung-min, an analyst from Daishin Securities.

fairydust@yna.co.kr

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