South Korean stocks closed 0.64 percent higher Wednesday as the U.S. Federal Reserve highlighted the necessity to maintain its quantitative easing, boosting investor sentiment here, analysts said. The local currency fell against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) moved up 12.74 points to finish at 1,993.83. Trading volume was low at 321.7 million shares worth 4.45 trillion won (US$4 billion) with gainers outstripping losers 451 to 348.