South Korean stocks traded 0.61 percent lower late Monday morning, led by large-cap auto and tech losses, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 11.19 points to 1,811.64 as of 11:20 a.m.
Kia Motors, the smaller affiliate of Hyundai Motor, shed 0.7 percent, with auto-parts maker Hyundai Mobis losing nearly 2 percent. SK hynix, a leading chipmaker, also dipped more than 2 percent.
But shares of Samsung Electronics, the top-listed firm, continued to trade in positive territory, gaining 0.5 percent.
The local currency was changing hands at 1,155.65 won against the greenback, down 0.95 won from Friday's close. (Yonhap News)
