Seoul shares up 0.08 pct in late-morning trade

South Korean stocks traded 0.08 percent higher late Wednesday morning on the back of gains in techs and carmakers, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) edged up 1.65 points to 2,001.66 as of 11:20 a.m.

Big-cap tech firms led the increase, with market behemoth Samsung Electronics moving up 0.33 percent and its electronic components affiliate Samsung Electro-Mechanics advancing 0.11 percent.

Carmakers also gathered ground, with No. 1 player Hyundai Motor increasing 0.94 percent and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors climbing 2.2 percent. Top auto parts manufacturer Hyundai Mobis added 1.16 percent.

The local currency was changing hands at 1,085.90 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., up 2.10 won from Tuesday's close. (Yonhap News)