Seoul shares down 0.21 pct in late-morning trade

 South Korean stocks traded 0.21 percent lower late Monday morning, dented by losses in blue-chip exporters, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) moved down 4.17 points to 1,977.01 as of 11:20 a.m.

Tech heavyweight Samsung Electronics shed 0.53 percent, and its smaller local rival LG Electronics decreased 0.4 percent. Top flat panel manufacturer LG Display lost 1.53 percent.

Carmakers also traded lower, with No. 1 player Hyundai Motor falling 2.11 percent and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors losing

1.3 percent. Top auto parts manufacturer Hyundai Mobis lost 0.67 percent.

The local currency was changing hands at 1,083.30 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., down 5.00 won from Friday's close. (Yonhap News)