South Korean stocks traded 1 percent higher late Tuesday morning, led by gains in large-cap exporters, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shot up 19.34 points to 1,960.04 as of 11:20 a.m.
Top-tiered blue chips drove up the main index, with market bellwether Samsung Electronics jumping 2.4 percent and Hyundai Motor climbing 0.5 percent.
In contrast, domestic-focused shares lost ground. State-run electricity provider Korea Electric Power Corp. fell 1.5 percent and retail giant Shinsegae slid 0.5 percent.
The local currency was changing hands at 1,103.55 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., up 3.65 won from Monday's close.(Yonhap News)
