South Korean stocks edged up 0.12 percent late Wednesday morning amid optimistic U.S. economic data.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 2.4 points to 2,045.53 as of 11:20 a.m.
Oil refiners led the increase, with industry leader SK Innovation rising 2.13 percent and No. 3 S-Oil adding 1.29 percent.
Leading automaker Hyundai Motor rose 0.62 percent after revealing its plan to launch a new global brand, while its sister Kia Motors moved up 1.03 percent.
Big-cap Samsung Group shares traded in negative territory, with tech giant Samsung Electronics sinking 0.96 percent and Samsung C&T falling 1.28 percent.
Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering dropped 2.84 percent as the Korea Development Bank, its largest shareholder, denied rumors of selling the shipbuilder to SK Group.
The local currency was changing hands at 1,129.05 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., up 4.05 won from Tuesday’s close. (Yonhap)
