South Korean stocks closed higher Thursday as rising hopes over economic recovery in advanced nations overshadowed fears from political instability in Ukraine, analysts said. The South Korean won closed higher against the greenback. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) moved up 13.66 points, or 0.7 percent, to 1,977.97. Trading volume was low at 212 million shares worth 3.88 trillion won (US$3.61 billion), with losers outpacing gainers 400 to 391.