South Korean stocks closed 0.05 percent lower Friday as banks and automakers lost ground, analysts said. The local currency rose against the U.S. dollar. After trading in positive territory, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 0.94 point to 1,974.68. Trading volume was moderate at 224.7 million shares worth 3.21 trillion won (US$3.01 billion), and gainers outnumbered losers 412 to 390.