Seoul shares up 0.38 pct in late-morning trade

South Korean stocks traded 0.38 percent higher late Friday morning, as public firms and telecom companies extended gains, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 7.56 points to 2,001.34 as of 11:20 a.m.

State-run electricity provider Korea Electric Power Corp. shot up nearly 3 percent, with top mobile carrier SK Telecom climbing 1.7 percent.

In contrast, auto blue-chips lost ground. Industry leader Hyundai Motor shed 0.2 percent and its affiliate Kia Motors fell 0.3 percent.

The local currency was changing hands at 1,061.00 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., up 1.9 won from Thursday's close. (Yonhap News)