Seoul shares up 0.17 pct in late morning

SEOUL, June 18 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks turned positive late Thursday
morning as investors picked up recently beaten-down financial and construction
shares, analysts said.

Reversing earlier setbacks, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index
(KOSPI) rose 2.31 points or 0.17 percent to 1,393.48 as of 11:20 a.m. after
falling by as much as 13.36 points.
Major shares were trading mixed but financial and construction companies gained
marked ground, more than offsetting losses in tech, steelmakers and other
large-cap issues.
The local currency was trading at 1,260.55 won to the U.S. dollar as of 11:20
a.m., down 0.75 won from Wednesday's close.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
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