South Korean stocks ended lower Friday on foreign selling stemming from concerns over a stronger local currency and sluggish corporate earnings.

The main Korean Composite Stock Index (KOSPI) retreated 17.79 points, or 0.91 percent, to close at 1,946.69.

Trading volume stood at 395.9 million shares worth 4.97 trillion won (4.63 billion U.S. dollars).

Foreign investors led the decline, unloading a net 515.3 billion won worth of stocks. Retailers were net buyers with purchases worth 353.8 billion won.

Despite the record-high quarterly profit of 8.84 trillion won, or 8.3 billion dollars, shares in market bellwether Samsung Electronics sank 2.48 percent to 1,471,000 won on concerns a stronger won will hurt its future profits

Automakers fared poorly after they reported lower-than-expected quarterly profits, with top automaker Hyundai Motor losing 3.37 percent to 201,000 won and its affiliate Kia Motors declining 4.88 percent to 49,750 won.

The South Korean currency closed at 1,074.5 won, down 5.8 won from Thursday's close.