South Korean stocks traded 0.56 percent lower late Wednesday morning, as shares of financial companies continued to drive down the index, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) slid 10.52 points to 1,875.32 as of 11:20 a.m.
Shinhan Financial Group, the country's No. 4 banking firm sank more than 2 percent, with top player Samsung Life Insurance dipping nearly 1 percent.
But autos moved upward. Hyundai Motor shot up 1 percent, and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors climbed 1.4 percent.
The local currency was changing hands at 1,116.15 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., up 0.05 won from Tuesday's close. (Yonhap news)
