[THE INVESTOR] South Korean shares traded 0.67 percent up in late morning on Aug. 1, with tech shares leading the gains.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index scored 13.43 points to 2,029.62 as of 11:20 a.m.

Samsung Electronics surged 2.14 percent, continuing its rally after posting robust second-quarter earnings, and chip giant SK hynix advanced 1.31 percent.

Auto shares were also in the positive terrain.

Industry leader Hyundai Motor increased 1.89 percent, and its sister company Kia Motors rose 1.3 percent.

In contrast, cosmetics shares slid after the customs office announced plans to limit the number of cosmetics up for duty-free sales.

Top cosmetics maker AmorePacific declined 2.45 percent, and its smaller rival LG Household & Health Care tumbled 4.07 percent.

The local currency was changing hands at 1,112.2 won against the US dollar, up 7.0 won from the previous session’s close.


(theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)