South Korean stocks traded almost flat late Monday morning, as investors sat on the sidelines on the prospect of a U.S.-led military attack on Syria, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) edged down 0.25 points, or 0.01 percent, to 1,926.11 as of 11:20 a.m.

Blue-chip shares led the market decline, with Samsung Electronics falling 0.22 percent and top carmaker Hyundai Motor losing 2.21 percent. Kia Motors shed 2.23 percent.

Builders traded bullish, with Hyundai Engineering & Construction rising 0.87 percent and Daelim Industrial adding 2.63 percent. Daewoo Engineering & Construction went up 1.22 percent.

The local currency was changing hands at 1,105.75 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., up 4.25 won from Friday's close. (Yonhap news)