South Korean stocks traded 0.83 percent lower late Wednesday morning, led by losses in builders and shipbuilders, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price index (KOSPI) fell 15.23 points to 1,885.39 as of 11:20 a.m. Top builder Hyundai Engineering & Construction dropped nearly 3 percent and heavy equipment maker Doosan Heavy Industries slid 1.4 percent.
Top-cap Samsung Electronics kept its losing binge, sinking 1.3 percent.
The local currency was changing hands at 1,133.25 won against the greenback, down 2.35 won from Tuesday's close. (Yonhap News)