South Korean stocks closed almost flat on Friday as losses of bank and telecommunications shares overshadowed economic optimism created by improved U.S. job data, analysts said. The local currency hit a near three-year high against the U.S. dollar. Reversing earlier gains, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 0.24 point, or 0.01 percent, to 2,180.35. Trading volume was moderate at 277.1 million shares worth 7.15 trillion won (US$6.76 billion) with losers outpacing gainers 428 to 402.