Seoul shares up 0.49 pct in late-morning trade

South Korean stocks traded 0.49 percent higher late Wednesday morning, led by gains in builders and logistics firms, analysts said.
   
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) moved up 9.38 points to 1,928.01 as of 11:20 a.m.
   
Construction firms traded higher, with Hyundai Engineering & Construction rising 1.21 percent and Daewoo Engineering & Construction advancing 1.03 percent. GS Engineering & Construction added 2.39 percent.
   
Logistics firms also gathered ground, with Hyundai Glovis moving up 1.16 percent and Hyundai Merchant Marine climbing 4.21 percent. Top air carrier Korean Air increased 4.48 percent.
   
The local currency was changing hands at 1,119.35 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., up 1.45 won from Tuesday's close. (Yonhap News)