Seoul: South Korean stocks traded higher late Thursday morning as large-cap tech shares were buoyed despite market uncertainties. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) had gained 32.6 points, or 1.04 percent, to 3,162.69 as of 11:20 a.m.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the index had opened in positive terrain, snapping a three-day losing streak, and further extended gains on heavy institutional buying. In Seoul, most top-cap shares traded higher, with chip giant Samsung Electronics going up 1.56 percent and leading battery maker LG Energy Solution edging up 0.4 percent. Top automaker Hyundai Motor added 10.23 percent to its value.
Defense giant Hanwha Aerospace increased 3.06 percent, and leading financial firm KB Financial inched up 0.18 percent. Among heavyweights, chipmaker SK hynix declined, dropping 3.52 percent, to extend losses to five days. Hyundai's affiliate Kia edged down 0.38 percent after opening higher.
The local currency was trading at 1,397.7 won against the greenback at 11:20 a.m., up 0.7 won from the previous session.