Seoul stocks end higher on chip rally; won sharply up

South Korean stocks ended higher Friday, driven by sharp gains in big-cap tech shares, including Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. The local currency gained ground against the US dollar amid the country's efforts to stabilize the foreign exchange market. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 21.06 points, or 0.51 percent, to close at 4,129.68. Trade volume was slightly heavy at 502.7 million shares worth 16 trillion won ($11.1 billion), with losers outnumbering winners 639 to 246