South Korean stocks closed 0.3 percent higher on Tuesday as investors hunted for bargains, analysts said. The local currency rose against the U.S. dollar. After opening lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 6.03 points to 1,983.7. Trading volume was moderate at 271.8 million shares worth 3.3 trillion won (US$3 billion), with decliners outnumbering gainers 408 to 386.