Seoul shares up 0.4 pct in late-morning trade

SEOUL, July 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks traded 0.4 percent higher late Friday morning, helped by gains in technology companies and retailers, analysts said.
   Reversing earlier losses, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) climbed 8.55 points to 2,138.62 as of 11:20 a.m.
   Tech issues gathered ground following their recent losses, with LG Electronics jumping nearly 3 percent and Hynix Semiconductor gaining more than 2 percent. Leading discount chain operator E-mart advanced more than 3 percent.
   The local currency was changing hands at 1,057.15 won to the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., up 1.25 won from Thursday's close.