South Korean stocks traded 0.91 percent lower late Monday morning amid growing concerns over terrorist attacks in Paris, coupled with the rising woes over the U.S. key interest rate, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 17.91 points to 1,955.38 as of 11:20 a.m.

Tech shares continued to trade bearish, with top market cap Samsung Electronics falling 1.62 percent and LG Electronics losing 0.91 percent. SK hynix shed 1.61 percent.

Builders also lost ground, with Hyundai Engineering & Construction falling 3.14 percent and Daewoo Engineering & Construction moving down 1.61 percent. Daelim Industrial decreased 2.09 percent.

The local currency was changing hands at 1,171.60 as of 11:20 a.m., down 7.80 won against the greenback from Friday's close. (Yonhap)