South Korean stocks traded 0.32 higher late Monday morning on gains in carmakers and retailers, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added

5.96 points to 1,886.67 as of 11:20 a.m.

Carmakers continued to gather ground, with leading Hyundai Motor rising 0.45 percent and its affiliate Kia Motors adding 1 percent. Leading auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis also gained 0.38 percent.

Retailers also gathered ground, with Lotte Shopping adding 3.22 percent and Samsung C&T rising 1.14 percent. Leading trading firm Daewoo International also gained 0.41 percent.

The local currency was changing hands at 1,113.15 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., down 0.95 won from Friday's close. (Yonhap News)