New Delhi, June 8 -- Asian markets tumbled on Monday, 8 June as investors rushed to book profits in technology stocks, triggering a sharp pullback in the artificial intelligence-driven rally that had powered global equities to record highs.

South Korea's KOSPI, heavily weighted toward semiconductor and technology companies, plunged more than 6.8% in volatile trading, prompting a temporary 20-minute trading halt. The index has now fallen about 14% from last week's record peak.

Japan's Nikkei 225 also came under pressure, dropping 3.4% in early trade. Meanwhile, US stock futures attempted a modest recovery after a steep selloff on Wall Street at the end of last week.

Investor sentiment was further rattled by renewed geopolitical tensions...