South Korean shares ended slightly higher on Friday as institutional investors took a net buying position before the ex-dividend date, with retail investors unloading shares, analysts said. The South Korean won rose against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 1.59 points, or 0.08 percent, to 1,948.20. Trading volume stood at 229.3 million shares worth 3.02 trillion won (US$2.74 billion), with gainers beating decliners 470 to 333.