South Korean stocks traded 0.62 percent higher late Wednesday morning, led by gains in steelmakers and chemical firms, analysts said.
   
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) advanced 11.96 points to 1,932.70 as of 11:20 a.m.    Blue-chip local zinc smelter Korea Zinc soared more than 4 percent and leading chemical maker LG Chem jumped 3.2 percent.
  
In contrast, defensive shares lost ground, with state-run gas provider Korea Gas Corp. falling nearly 2 percent. Top-cap Samsung Electronics also inched down 0.2 percent.
   
The local currency was changing hands at 1,139.25 won against the greenback, up 0.05 won from Tuesday's close. (Yonhap News)