Seoul shares down 1 pct in late morning

SEOUL, Feb. 18 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks dropped 1 percent late Wednesday
morning as investors remained worried that a global economic slump may last
longer than expected, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 11.28 points to
1,115.91 as of 11:20 a.m.
Large caps including Samsung Electronics and KB Financial Group, which owns top
lender Kookmin Bank, were hit hard after sell-offs by foreign investors and
institutions, according to analysts.
The local currency was trading at 1,461.9 won to the U.S. dollar as of 11:20
a.m., down 6.4 won from Tuesday's close.
ygkim@yna.co.kr
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