[THE INVESTOR] South Korean shares rose slightly higher late morning on Oct. 10.

The benchmark KOSPI added 0.02 percent, or 0.50 point, to 2,054.30 as of 11:20 a.m.

The index opened sharply lower but pared earlier losses on institutional buying.

Samsung Electronics plunged 3.63 percent as investors apparently sought to cash in early gains.

On Oct. 7, Samsung shares closed at a record high of 1,706,000 won, adding 0.89 percent from the previous session’s close.

An earlier report that Samsung has temporarily suspended production of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphones currently under a voluntary recall further spooked investor sentiment.

Most other major caps were in positive terrain, with top portal operator Naver spiking 4.27 percent.

Cosmetics giant AmorePacific advanced 1.67 percent, while global steelmaker POSCO added 2.88 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,113.55 against the US greenback, up 1.95 won from previous session.

(theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)