Seoul shares down 0.15 pct in late morning trade

South Korean stocks traded 0.15 percent lower late Wednesday morning, led by losses in techs and carmakers.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shed 2.91 points to 1,914.14 as of 11:20 a.m.

Tech shares continued to trade lower, with Samsung Electronics falling 0.62 percent and LG Electronics losing 0.55 percent.

Samsung SDI, a local plasma display panel maker, decreased 0.6 percent.

Hyundai Motor, the country's top carmaker, lost 1.26 percent and its auto parts affiliate Hyundai Mobis moved down 0.9 percent.

In contrast, Kia Motors edged up 0.16 percent.

The local currency was changing hands at 1,116.85 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., down 3.05 won from Tuesday's close. (Yonhap News)