Seoul shares down 0.32 pct in late-morning trade

South Korean stocks traded 0.32 percent lower late Wednesday morning, led by losses in foodmakers and brokerage houses, analysts said. 

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell

6.39 points to 1,972.17 as of 11:20 a.m.

Blue-chip confectionery maker Orion slumped 3 percent with major brokerage house Mirae Asset Securities tumbling 3.5 percent. 

In contrast, large-cap auto-related stocks gathered ground. No.

1 player Hyundai Motor edged up 0.2 percent with its auto-parts making affiliate Hyundai Mobis rising 1.5 percent.

The local currency was changing hands at 1,118.90 won against the greenback, sharply down 7.9 won from Tuesday's close. (Yonhap News)