South Korean stocks traded 1 percent lower late Thursday morning as investors lost the appetite for riskier assets after U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen hinted at an interest rate hike this month.
  

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shed 20.03 points to 1,989.26 as of 11:20 a.m.
  

Most market heavyweights were in negative terrain.
  

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics slipped 0.85 percent, and top cosmetics maker Amore Pacific dropped 2.46 percent.
  

U.S. stocks fell on Wednesday after Yellen said she was "looking forward" to a U.S. interest rate rise that will be seen as a testament to the economy's recovery from recession.
  

The local currency was changing hands at 1,168.7 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., down 4.4 won from Wednesday's close. (Yonhap)