South Korean stocks fell nearly 1 percent in late Wednesday morning, led by losses in chemical and oil refiners, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) slid 17.91 points, or 0.95 percent, to 1,869.94 as of 11:20 a.m.
LG Chem dipped more than 3 percent, with SK Innovation, a major oil refiner, falling 2.8 percent.
In contrast, auto and insurance companies gathered ground.
Hyundai Motor was up 0.3 percent, and Samsung Life Insurance shot up 2.8 percent.
The local currency was changing hands at 1,119.05 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., up 1.75 won from Tuesday's close. (Yonhap News)
