South Korean stocks traded 0.12 percent lower late Wednesday morning, paring earlier gains as large-cap exporters widened losses, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shed 2.36 points to 1,966.47 as of 11:20 a.m. Top-cap Samsung Electronics dropped nearly 1 percent and POSCO, a leading steelmaker, dipped 1.3 percent.
Domestic-oriented stocks extended their gains, with state-run Korea Electric Power Corp. rising 0.16 percent and NHN Corp., the No. 1 Internet portal service provider, climbing more than 1 percent.
The local currency was changing hands at 1,112.75 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., down 6.15 won from Tuesday's close. (Yonhap News)
