South Korean stocks traded 0.48 percent higher late Monday morning, buoyed by gains in autos and oil refiners, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) climbed 9.7 points to 2,015.34 as of 11:20 a.m.
Industry leader Hyundai Motor soared 2 percent and top oil refiner SK Innovation rose 1.8 percent.
In contrast, some financial blue-chips fell. No. 4 banking group Shinhan Financial shed 1.2 percent, with Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, South Korea's No. 1 nonlife insurer, shedding 0.8 percent.
The local currency was changing hands at 1,061.80 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., up 2.6 won from Friday's close. (Yonhap News)
