South Korean stocks traded 0.77 percent lower late Monday morning on losses in tech shares.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 14.76 points to 1,902.86 as of 11:20 a.m.
Market heavyweights traded mixed with tech giant Samsung Electronics losing 1.71 percent.
Global chipmaker SK hynix shed 2.36 percent, while top mobile carrier SK Telecom lost 2.16 percent.
No. 1 automaker Hyundai Motor gained 1.10 percent, and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors advanced 0.62 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,207.90 won against the U.S. dollar as of 11:20 a.m., down 9.80 won from the previous session's close. The won rebounded slightly after dipping to below 1,210 won against the dollar for the first time since July 22, 2010. (Yonhap)