Asian markets today, March 23 -- Asian markets slumped on Monday, March 23, with key indices in Japan and South Korea plunging over 5% as the Middle East conflict entered its fourth week.

Japan's Nikkei 225 fell nearly 5%, extending earlier losses, while the broader Topix declined 4.4%.

South Korea's benchmark Kospi tumbled more than 6%, and the small-cap Kosdaq dropped around 5%. Trading was briefly halted after the Kospi 200 futures index fell by over 5%.

Australia's S&P/ASX 200 slipped 2.4% on Monday. Meanwhile, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index and the Hang Seng Tech Index both declined nearly 2% at the open.

Back home, GIFT Nifty is also down 298 points or 1.30% to 22,835, indicating a gap-down start for the Indian benchmark index on M...