The Economic Information Agency reported on the 13th: Japanese stocks plunged in morning trading, with the Nikkei 225 index closing the half-day session at 67292, down 1738 points or 2.52%. The South Korean KOSPI index was quoted at 5941, down 442 points or 6.93%.

The U.S. dollar against the Japanese yen was quoted at 158.22/24.