Seoul shares up 0.17 pct in late-morning trade

South Korean stocks traded 0.17 percent higher late Wednesday morning on the back of gains in tech shares, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 3.4 points to 1,959.36.

Techs led the gains, with the world's two biggest computer memory chip makers Samsung Electronics and SK hynix gaining 1.14 percent and 1.45 percent, respectively.

In contrast, automakers stayed in negative territory, with top player Hyundai Motor falling 1.21 percent.

The local currency was changing hands at 1,082.5 won against the greenback, unchanged from Tuesday's close. (Yonhap News)