Seoul shares up 0.3 percent in late-morning trade

South Korean stocks traded 0.3 percent higher late Monday morning, buoyed by blue-chip exporters, analysts said.
   
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 5.93 points to 1,979.38 as of 11:20 a.m.
  
LG Electronics, the country's leading home appliance maker, jumped 3.25 percent and No. 1 automaker Hyundai Motor gained nearly 1.5 percent.
  
In contrast, steelmakers lost ground. POSCO dropped 0.8 percent. Large-cap zinc smelter Korea Zinc also shed 1.8 percent.
   
The local currency was changing hands at 1,126.40 won against the greenback, up 1.0 won from Friday's close. (Yonhap News)