Asian equity markets mostly decline as investor sentiment weakens following developments in South Korea and softer energy prices. South Korea’s main stock index, the Kospi, falls sharply, with one report citing a drop of 6.6% to 6,816.70. The decline is attributed in part to an interest rate hike by the Bank of Korea, which raises borrowing costs and can pressure equity valuations. Alongside the move in South Korean shares, oil prices also slip, adding to the broader cautious tone in the region’s markets. Taken together, the reported changes in both equities and crude-related benchmarks indicate a combination of country-specific monetary policy impacts and wider concerns reflected in commodity price movements. While the sources focus on the Kospi’s steep fall and the role of the Bank of Korea, they also characterize the overall picture as “mostly” lower across Asia, suggesting weakness extends beyond a single market. The reports do not provide detailed figures for other regional indexes in the excerpt provided.