South Korean stocks traded 0.22 percent lower late Thursday morning due to losses in shares of major banking groups and technology firms, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 4.36 points to 1,960.07 as of 11:20 a.m.
Financials led the decline, with Shinhan Financial slumping 3.34 percent. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics also slipped 0.21 percent.
Automakers limited losses, with No. 2 carmaker Kia Motors adding 2.77 percent.
The local currency was changing hands at 1,088.15 won to the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., down 2.65 won from Wednesday's close. (Yonhap News)
