Seoul: South Korean stocks turned positive late Monday morning on growing hopes for easing global trade tensions, following a record-setting rally last week. After opening slightly lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) had risen 40.68 points, or 1.03 percent, to 3,789.57 as of 11:20 a.m.

According to Yonhap News Agency, U.S. shares also ended higher on Friday, as investors assessed U.S. President Donald Trump's latest remarks on China. In Seoul, the market initially wavered as investors moved to lock in recent gains after the KOSPI hit a record high last week. However, sentiment improved and the index rebounded, supported by optimism that trade tensions could ease.

Chip giant Samsung Electronics inched down 0.31 percent, snapping a three-day winning streak, while rival SK hynix gained 2.9 percent, extending its four-day rally. Major bio company Samsung Biologics grew 1.97 percent and No. 1 financial firm KB Financial Group increased 1.14 percent. Defense giant Hanwha Aerospace went up 3.4 percent.

In contrast, leading battery maker LG Energy Solution went down 0.23 percent. The local currency was trading at 1,421.55 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., down 0.35 won from the previous session's close.