South Korean stocks traded 0.82 percent higher late Monday morning, driven by gains in heavy industries and chemical companies, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shot up 15.42 percent to 1,885.58 as of 11:20 a.m.
Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world's biggest shipyard, soared 2.5 percent, and LG Chem, a leading chemical maker, jumped more than 3 percent.
In contrast, shipping lines trended lower, with STX Pan Ocean slumping 3.5 percent.
The local currency was changing hands at 1,112.90 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., up 4 won from Friday's close. (Yonhap News)
