S. Korean shares trade higher on tech shares

SEOUL, Jan. 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares edged up late Monday morning, as individuals and institutions scooped up tech shares.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 3.98 points, or 0.19 percent, to 2,069.49 as of 11:20 a.m.

Large caps traded mixed, with market leader Samsung Electronics gaining 0.65 percent.

The state-run Korea Electric Power Corp. lost 0.46 percent, while global chipmaker SK hynix jumped 3.56 percent.

Leading automaker Hyundai Motor lost 1.63 percent and its sister company, Kia Motors, inched down 0.13 percent.

Hanjin Shipping, the country's troubled top shipper, plunged 12.44 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,165.30 won against the U.S. dollar, up 3.90 won from the previous session's close.
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