South Korean stocks closed 0.44 percent lower Monday as foreigners offloaded local shares due to the rising tension with North Korea, analysts said. The local currency lost against the U.S. dollar.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 8.54 points to 1918.69, closing at the lowest rate this year. Trading volume was low at 305.5 million shares worth 3.89 trillion won (US$3.41 billion), with decliners outnumbering gainers 603 to 215.