South Korean stocks closed higher Thursday following improved economic assessments by the World Bank and the U.S. Federal Reserve, analysts said. The Korean won closed lower against the greenback. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 4.04 points, or 0.21 percent, to 1,957.32. Trading volume was moderate at 373.2 million shares worth 3.37 trillion won (US$3.17 billion) with gainers outpacing losers 447 to 338.