Seoul - Shares surged more than 2 per cent Tuesday on the Seoul stock exchange led by construction and bank stocks that are expected to benefit from recent government measures to stimulate the economy. South Korea's won lost further ground against the dollar.

The benchmark Kospi index soared 24.27 points, or 2.2 per cent, to close at 1,153.35.

Advancing issues outpaced decliners 612 to 246.

The main index of the technology-heavy Kosdaq market rose 9.93 points to 335.49.

On currency markets, the US dollar was quoted at 1,288.0 Korean won, after 1,262.0 won on Monday.