South Korean stocks closed 0.1 percent lower Thursday as institutional investors unloaded local shares, tracking overnight falls in U.S. stock markets, analysts said. The local currency rose against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) declined 2.03 points to 1,998.34. Trading volume was light at 227.9 million shares worth 3.51 trillion won (US$3.38 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 512 to 289.