Asian stock markets started the day on a negative note, with MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan declining by 0.6% for the second day in a row. South Korean shares were particularly volatile, dropping as much as 3.2% before rebounding. This downturn follows a hotter-than-expected inflation report from the US, which showed consumer prices rising the most in three years, raising fears that the Federal Reserve may need to increase interest rates sooner than anticipated. The situation is compounded by geopolitical tensions in West Asia, where the conflict between the US and Iran remains unresolved. In South Korea, shares of Samsung Electronics fell 5.7% after the company failed to reach a pay agreement with its labor union, potentially leading to a strike involving over 50,000 workers. Meanwhile, Brent crude oil prices slipped to $107.13 a barrel, reflecting ongoing market instability. The US dollar index continued to rise, marking its third consecutive day of gains, while gold and cryptocurrencies showed minor fluctuations.