Seoul: South Korean stocks traded 0.6 percent higher late Tuesday morning as investors scooped up large-cap shares ahead of U.S. inflation data. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 19.25 points to 3,226.02 as of 11:20 a.m.

According to Yonhap News Agency, U.S. consumer prices will be released later Tuesday (U.S. time), likely giving clues on the future path of the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy. In Seoul, top-cap Samsung Electronics rose 1.06 percent, and SK hynix, the second-largest share by market value, increased 1.69 percent. Leading battery maker LG Energy Solution climbed 0.64 percent, and major shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean advanced 0.84 percent.

Internet giant Naver added 1.57 percent, and retailer Shinsegae gained 0.12 percent. The local currency was trading at 1,390.05 won against the U.S. dollar at 11:20 a.m., down 2.55 won from the previous session.