South Korean stocks finished 1.42 percent higher Thursday on eased concern over a Greek default, but the gains were limited due to looming fears over rating downgrades of bigger economies like Italy and France, analysts said. The local currency fell against the U.S. dollar. After volatile trading, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 24.92 points to 1,774.08. Trading volume was moderate at 387 million shares worth 6.2 trillion won (US$5.55 billion) with losers outnumbering gainers 428 to 400.