Seoul shares up 0.54 pct in late-morning trade

SEOUL, Aug. 26 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks traded 0.54 percent higher late Friday morning as key blue chips drove up the main stock index to positive territory after a weak start, analysts said.
   The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 9.57 points to 1,774.15 as of 11:20 a.m.
   Market bellwether Samsung Electronics gained around 1 percent and leading automaker Hyundai Motor climbed nearly 2 percent.
   Institutions snapped up shares, but foreigners and retail investors continued to sell shares.
   The local currency was changing hands at 1,085.15 won to the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., up 1.25 won from Thursday's close.
   mil@yna.co.kr
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