Korean shares turned lower late Friday morning as the results of the British referendum remain murky.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index edged down 11.55 points, or 0.58 percent, to 1,975.16 as of 11:20 a.m. One of the latest polls conducted after the vote ended at 6 a.m. Friday (Korean time) suggested the "Remain" camp's victory.

But early voting results indicated a tight race so investors remain cautious until the final voting outcome is available at around 3 p.m. Friday. Top carmaker Hyundai Motor Co. fell 0.35 percent, state-run utility Korea Electric Power Corp. shed 0.68 percent, and No. 1 cosmetics player AmorePacific Corp. was down 0.12 percent. 

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics Co. rose 0.77 percent and top mobile carrier SK Telecom Co. climbed 0.48 percent. The local currency was changing hands at 1,155.65 won against the U.S. dollar, down 5.45 won from the previous session's close. (Yonhap)