Seoul shares up 0.25 pct in late-morning trade

South Korean stocks traded higher late Monday morning on gains in techs and retailers, analysts said.   

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 4.89 points to 1,928.74 as of 11:20 a.m.
   
Tech shares traded bullish, with Samsung Electronics adding 0.28 percent, recouping losses made in the previous tradingsession. The market behemoth plunged 6.18 percent to 1,427,000 won, the lowest since Feb. 6 on Friday.
   
Retailers also traded higher, with Lotte Shopping rising 0.98 percent and discount store chain Emart adding 2.91 percent. Samsung C&T, a major trading company, advanced 0.51 percent.
   
The local currency was changing hands at 1,123.35 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., down 6.25 won from Friday's close. (Yonhap News)