Seoul: South Korean stocks traded slightly higher late Tuesday morning amid lingering uncertainties over the United States' tariff scheme ahead of the August 1 negotiation deadline. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 5.25 points, or 0.16 percent, to 3,214.77 as of 11:20 a.m. The index opened lower but pared earlier losses on foreign buying.

According to Yonhap News Agency, eyes are on ongoing negotiations between Seoul and Washington over President Donald Trump's administration's aggressive tariff scheme, with just three days to go before the United States' country-specific tariffs are set to take effect. Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol left for Washington earlier in the day for talks with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, while Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo continued to engage in last-minute negotiations with their U.S. counterparts, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

In the stock market, big-cap shares showed mixed performances. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics edged down 0.07 percent, while chip giant SK hynix rose 0.19 percent. Leading battery maker LG Energy Solution climbed 2.23 percent, but top chemical firm LG Chemical sank 2.56 percent. Top automaker Hyundai Motor declined 1.03 percent, while its sister affiliate Kia went up 0.05 percent. Leading financial firm KB Financial added 0.18 percent on bargain hunting, while No. 1 steelmaker POSCO tumbled 2.79 percent. Defense systems giant Hanwha Aerospace spiked 3.88 percent, and nuclear power plant manufacturer Doosan Enerbility gained 0.63 percent.

Shipbuilders gathered ground on hopes for stronger cooperation with the U.S. Leading shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy climbed 0.97 percent, and its rival Hanwha Ocean surged 1.43 percent. The local currency was trading at 1,390.65 won against the U.S. dollar at 11:20 a.m., down 8.65 won from the previous session.