South Korean stocks traded higher late Wednesday morning as easing oil prices offered support, although elevated U.S. Treasury yields continued to weigh on investor sentiment. The KOSPI (South Korea’s benchmark stock index) rose 17.62 points, or 0.26%, to 6,888.43 at 11:20 a.m., after opening 1.06% higher. Overnight, U.S. stocks ended slightly lower despite falling oil prices, while semiconductor shares outperformed. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index gained 1.32%, supporting South Korean chipmakers. Samsung Electronics fell 0.83%, while SK hynix rose 1.42%. The Korean won weakened 4.2 won against the U.S. dollar to 1,358.2 won.