Seoul: South Korean stocks traded slightly higher late Wednesday morning as investors seemed largely unaffected by U.S. President Donald Trump's renewed tariff threats on copper, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals. After choppy trading from the beginning, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) had added 10.6 points, or 0.34 percent, to 3,125.55 as of 11:20 a.m.

According to Yonhap News Agency, on Tuesday (U.S. time), Trump announced plans to impose a 50 percent duty on copper imports, along with additional tariffs on pharmaceuticals and semiconductors. This announcement followed the release of letters sent to 14 countries, including South Korea and Japan, detailing plans to impose reciprocal tariffs starting on August 1.

In Seoul, financial and retail shares led the early gains. Samsung Fire and Marine Insurance increased 2.92 percent, while Hanwha Life Insurance soared 9.41 percent. Retail giants Shinsegae and Lotte Shopping also saw gains, rising 1.67 percent and 4.59 percent, respectively.

However, not all sectors experienced positive momentum. Top-cap Samsung Electronics lost 1.63 percent, and its chipmaking rival SK hynix declined 0.53 percent. The local currency was trading at 1,372.65 won against the U.S. dollar at 11:20 a.m., down 4.65 won from the previous session.