South Korean stocks traded 1.25 percent lower late Monday morning, led by a sharp fall in shares of Samsung Electronics, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) declined 22.88 points to 1,810.43 as of 11:20 a.m.
Top-listed tech heavyweight Samsung Electronics plunged more than 4 percent, with SK hynix dipping 2.6 percent.
In contrast, Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world's No. 1 shipyard, climbed 3.6 percent.
The local currency was changing hands at 1,151.75 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., down 9.45 won from Friday's close. (Yonhap News)
