Seoul shares up 0.47 pct in late morning trade

SEOUL, Jan. 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks traded 0.47 percent higher as tech and auto blue chips gained ground.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) climbed 8.68 points to 1,854.13 as of 11:20 a.m.

Top tech giant Samsung Electronics added 0.79 percent and its smaller rival LG Electronics moved up 1.52 percent. Chipmaker SK hynix rose 0.19 percent.

Auto makers were also winners, with Hyundai Motor advancing 0.37 percent and Hyundai Mobis rising 2.09 percent. No. 2 carmaker Kia Motors added 0.64 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,209.90 won against the U.S. dollar as of 11:20 a.m., up 4.1 won from the previous session's close.

colin@yna.co.kr
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