Seoul shares up 0.26 pct in late-morning trade

South Korean stocks traded 0.26 percent higher late Wednesday morning, led by gains in financial firms and shipbuilders, analysts said. 

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 5.20 points to 2,021.81 as of 11:20 a.m.

No. 2 lender KB Financial Group rose 1.8 percent, with Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world's largest shipyard, jumping more than 3 percent. 

In contrast, auto-related shares trended lower. Kia Motors, a Hyundai Motor affiliate, slid 2 percent, with Hyundai's auto parts-making arm Hyundai Mobis declining 1.5 percent. 

The local currency was changing hands at 1,083.40 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., up 3.6 won from Tuesday's close. (Yonhap News)