South Korean stocks traded marginally lower late Friday morning, as automakers and shipping lines drove the key index down, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) slipped 0.69 points, or 0.03 percent to 1,978.92 as of 11:20 a.m.
No. 2 shipyard Hyundai Merchant Marine plunged more than 4 percent following a market forecast that its earnings had dwindled in 2012. Industry leader Hyundai Motor fell 1.8 percent.
In contrast, domestic-focused issues gathered ground, with major confectionery maker Orion surging 4.5 percent. Top-cap Samsung Electronics also gained 0.13 percent.
The local currency was changing hands at 1,078.80 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., up 5.0 won from Thursday's close. (Yonhap News)
