Seoul shares trade in flat late-morning trade

South Korean stocks traded flat late Thursday morning as gains in technology firms offset losses in carmakers, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) edged down 0.08 points to 1,912.00 as of 11:20 a.m.

Carmakers continued to lead the market decline, with No. 1 player Hyundai Motor losing 0.22 percent and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors falling 0.66 percent. In contrast, top auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis gained 0.97 percent.

Tech shares traded bullish, with market behemoth Samsung Electronics adding 0.15 percent and top chipmaker SK hynix moving up 0.53 percent. Samsung SDI, a local plasma display panel maker, climbed 1.83 percent.

The local currency was changing hands at 1,117.20 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., down 4.50 won from Wednesday's close. (Yonhap News)