Seoul shares down 0.32 pct in late-morning trade

South Korean stocks moved down 0.32 percent late Thursday morning due mainly to losses in techs and autos, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) decreased 6.11 points, to 1,917.73 as of 11:20 a.m.

Tech blue chips traded lower, with market behemoth Samsung Electronics falling 0.66 percent and its smaller affiliate LG Electronics losing 0.12 percent. Leading chipmaker SK hynix shed 2.78 percent.

Carmakers also lost ground, with No. 1 player Hyundai Motor falling 1.3 percent and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors decreasing 0.58 percent. Local shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries lost 0.78 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,1121.90 won against the U.S. dollar as of 11:20 a.m., down 3.40 won from Wednesday's close. (Yonhap News)