They said the key issue remains interest rates, with markets still uncertain as to what the US Federal Reserve will decide on monetary policy when it meets early next month.
The KOSPI index was up 0.80 points at 1,297.07, after trading between 1,301.69 and 1,292.52. Volume was 191 million shares worth 2.3 trillion won (US$2.4 billion).
Gains led falls 400 to 315, with 104 stocks unchanged.
Institutions were net buyers of shares worth 135.2 billion won while foreign and retail investors were net sellers of 112.5 billion won and 41.9 billion won.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong share prices closed 0.23 percent higher as investors turned cautious in late trade ahead of US second quarter growth data due later in the day and global banking giant HSBC's interim results due tomorrow, dealers said.
They said follow-through interest in China Mobile supported the market while select other blue chips were also boosted by trading activity related to the settlement of this month's futures contracts later on Friday.
The Hang Seng Index was up 38.27 points at 16,955.04, off a low of 16,918.79 and a high of 17,034.55.
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