The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (Kospi) rose 0.74 percent to 1,819.53 points around 12:10 (03:10 GMT).

The gains came after the market slumped four percent on opening after a heavy sell off in Europe and Wall Street amid concerns over the global economy.

Shares rose across the board but financials remained in negative territory after a warning that a number of French banks could be in danger of having their credit ratings downgraded due to fears over their debt levels.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011