Seoul shares up 0.21 pct in late-morning trade

South Korean stocks traded 0.21 percent higher late Tuesday morning, led by gains in techs and autos, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added

4.23 points to 1,981.90 as of 11:20 a.m.

Tech blue chips drove up the shares, with market behemoth Samsung Electronics rising 0.8 percent and top chipmaker adding 1.2 percent. Leading flat panel manufacturer LG Display gained 1.11 percent.

Carmakers also gathered ground, with No. 1 industry player Hyundai Motor adding 2.09 percent and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors advancing 1.62 percent. Top auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis climbed 1.33 percent.

The local currency was changing hands at 1,109.65 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., up 1.15 won from Monday's close. (Yonhap News)