South Korean stocks surged 2.84 percent Monday on Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's remarks last week that the U.S. central bank still has tools to stimulate its weak economy, analysts said. The local currency rose against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 50.55 points to close at 1,829.50, the third straight session of gains. Trading volume was moderate at 330.5 million shares worth 6.4 trillion won (US$5.96 billion), with gainers outpacing losers 687 to 173