South Korean stocks traded 0.3 percent higher late Wednesday morning, led by gains in utilities and construction firms, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 5.96 points to 1,989.70 as of 11:40 a.m.
State-run electricity provider Korea Electric Power Corp. climbed more than 2 percent and No. 1 builder Hyundai Engineering & Construction jumped nearly 3 percent.
In contrast, tech firms lost ground, with top-cap Samsung Electronics slipping 0.07 percent.
The local currency was changing hands at 1,058.95 won against the greenback, down 2.5 won from Tuesday's close. (Yonhap News)