[SEOUL] South Korean shares and the won gained on Friday, as relief that the U.S. Federal Reserve held off on raising interest rates offset concerns about the prolonged uncertainty in global markets.

The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 1.0 per cent to end at 1,995.95 points while the won finished onshore trading up 0.3 per cent at 1,162.8 per dollar.

During the week, the South Korean currency gained 1.9 per cent against the dollar, marking its fastest increase since early December 2011.

REUTERS