South Korean stocks closed higher Monday, buoyed by better than expected growth numbers from China for the fourth quarter, analysts said. The Korean won closed lower against the greenback. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 9.30 points, or 0.48 percent, to 1,953.78. Trading volume was low at 273.9 million shares worth 2.83 trillion won (US$2.66 billion), with losers outpacing gainers 451 to 357.