South Korean stocks traded 0.25 percent higher late Tuesday morning on the back of gains in carmakers and construction firms, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) moved up 4.98 points to 1,986.89 as of 11:20 a.m.

Carmakers led the market gain, with No. 1 player Hyundai Motor advancing 0.95 percent and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors adding 1.9 percent. Top auto parts manufacturer Hyundai Mobis moved up 1.18 percent.

Local builders also traded higher, with Daewoo Engineering & Construction rising 1.12 percent and GS Engineering & Construction climbing 1.32 percent. Top steelmaker POSCO added 0.27 percent.

The local currency was changing hands at 1,081.45 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., up 0.65 won from Monday's close. (Yonhap News)