South Korean stocks finished higher on Friday as investors bet the improvement of the Chinese economy will have a positive impact on the local market, with foreign investors snapping up shares. The South Korean won appreciated against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 0.69 percent, or 13.32 points, to 1,940.28. Trading volume was 212.45 million shares worth 3.16 trillion won (US$3 billion), with gainers leading losers 513 to 274.