South Korean stocks traded 0.26 percent lower late Tuesday morning due mainly to losses in builders and steelmakers, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index slipped 5.25 points to 2,042.83 as of 11:20 a.m.

Korea Development, a local construction firm, plunged nearly 13 percent after analysts revised down its outlook as the company fared worse than the market had expected in the third quarter.

Hyundai Steel, a key steelmaker, also fell 1.6 percent.

But autos moved in positive territory. Hyundai Motor was up 0.4 percent, with its smaller affiliate Kia Motors gaining 0.6 percent.

The local currency was changing hands at 1,132.40 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., up 1.4 won from Monday's close. (Yonhap)