South Korean stocks traded 0.41 percent lower late Tuesday morning, led by the fall in major tech and steel blue-chips.
After starting a tad higher at the opening bell, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) declined 10.51 points to 2,546.37 at around 11:20 a.m.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics lost 0.3 percent, and top battery maker LG Energy Solution dipped nearly 1 percent.
Steel giant POSCO Holdings sank almost 3 percent and its materials unit POSCO Future M fell 1.4 percent.
In contrast, Hyundai Motor trended in positive terrain, adding 0.2 percent, with its auto parts-making affiliate Hyundai Mobis gaining 0.9 percent.
The local currency was changing hands at 1,324.80 won against the greenback at around 11:20 a.m., up 6.3 won from Monday's close.
Source: Yonhap News Agency