South Korean stocks retreated 0.28 percent Friday as investors took profits after recent rallies ahead of key U.S. employment data release, analysts said. The local currency rose against the greenback. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 5.61 points to 1,988.09. Trading volume was thin at 221.5 million shares worth 4.04 trillion won (US$3.8 billion), with advancers outpacing losers 464 to 325.