Seoul: South Korean stocks traded sharply lower late Friday morning as investors dumped tech shares amid lingering uncertainties over artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) lost 39.81 points, or 1 percent, to 3,947.1, as of 11:20 a.m. Most shares traded in negative territory.

According to Yonhap News Agency, market bellwether Samsung Electronics sank 1.93 percent, and SK hynix fell 0.74 percent. Top carmaker Hyundai Motor retreated 0.19 percent, and its sister company Kia dropped 0.26 percent. Leading battery maker LG Energy Solution tumbled 5.94 percent, and defense giant Hanwha Aerospace declined 2.2 percent.

The local currency was quoted at 1,465.5 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., down 0.25 won from the previous session's close.