South Korean stocks closed almost flat Tuesday as gains in steelmakers, shipbuilders and telecom shares offset a decline in some tech shares, analysts said. The South Korean won rose against the greenback. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) inched up 3.33 points, or 0.17 percent, to 1,993.03. Trading volume was light at 215 million shares worth 3.7 trillion won (US$3.52 billion), with gainers outpacing losers 407 to 399.