Seoul shares down 0.61 pct in late morning trading

SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks traded 0.61 percent lower late Wednesday morning on losses from technology and chemical shares.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 12.84 points to 2,101.51 as of 11:20 a.m.

Market leader Samsung Electronics slipped 1.3 percent and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix lost 0.87 percent. LG Display fell 0.28 percent.

LG Chem moved down 1.12 percent and LG Household & Health Care decreased 0.25 percent. Oil refiner S-Oil stepped down 1.32 percent.

Foodstuff makers, on the other hand, gained ground. CJ Cheiljedang advanced 1.18 percent and Orion added 1.78 percent. Ottogi moved up 1.09 percent.

The South Korean currency was changing hands at 1,111.85 won against the U.S. dollar as of 11:20 a.m., down 6.55 won from the previous session's close.

colin@yna.co.kr
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