Seoul shares up 1.74 pct in late morning trade

SEOUL, Jan. 22 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks traded 1.74 percent higher Friday morning as investors' sentiment was boosted by the possible quantitative easing moves hinted by the eurozone.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) climbed 32.04 points to 1,872.57 as of 11:20 a.m.

Carmakers continued to trade higher, with Hyundai Motor moving up 1.09 percent and Kia Motors increasing 3.75 percent. Hyundai Mobis gained 2.08 percent.

Steelmakers also gained ground, with POSCO rising 2.56 percent and Korea Zinc adding 2.69 percent. Hyundai Steel climbed 2.74 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,205.40 won against the U.S. dollar as of 11:20 a.m., up 8.3 won from the previous session's close.

colin@yna.co.kr
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