The Kospi opened lower on Sept. 10 as intensifying Middle East tensions pushed oil prices higher and renewed concerns about inflation ahead of key U.S. inflation data. The index fell 12.79 points, or 0.18%, to 7,038.85. U.S. stocks also declined overnight, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 0.77% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite losing 0.64%. Rising oil prices have increased concern that the U.S. Federal Reserve could raise interest rates to contain price gains.