South Korean stocks closed marginally higher Thursday, paring earlier gains as renewed fear over a weaker yen overshadowed the momentum spurred by the U.S. Federal Reserve's plan to cut stimulus, analysts said. The local currency fell sharply against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 1.02 points, or 0.05 percent, to finish at 1,975.65. Trading volume was light at 251.6 million shares worth 3.77 trillion won (US$3.56 billion) with decliners outnumbering gainers 439 to 359.