Seoul shares up 0.81 pct in late-morning trade

South Korean stocks traded 0.81 percent higher late Thursday morning fueled by gains in blue chip exporters, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) climbed 16.28 points to 2,020.32 as of 11:20 a.m.

Blue chip exporters led the gain, with market behemoth Samsung Electronics advancing 1.31 percent and top chipmaker SK hynix adding 1.52 percent.

Carmakers also gathered ground, with No. 1 player Hyundai Motor increasing 0.7 percent and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors climbing 0.54 percent. Top auto parts manufacturer Hyundai Mobis added 1.14 percent.

The local currency was changing hands at 1,082.30 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., up 2.10 won from Wednesday's close.

The stock market will be closed on Friday for March 1 Independence Movement Day. (Yonhap News)