This paper is devoted to strict K -monotonicity and K -order continuity in symmetric spaces. Using a local approach to the geometric structure in a symmetric space E we investigate a connection between strict K -monotonicity and global convergence in measure of a sequence of the maximal functions. Next, we solve an essential problem whether an existence of a point of K -order continuity in a symmetric space E on [0, ∞) implies that the embedding E → L 1 [0, ∞) does not hold. We present a complete characterization of an equivalent condition to K -order continuity in a symmetric space E using a notion of order continuity and the fundamental function of E. We also investigate a relationship between strict K -monotonicity and K -order continuity in symmetric spaces and show some examples of Lorentz spaces and Marcinkiewicz spaces having these properties or not. Finally, we discuss a local version of a crucial correspondence between order continuity and the Kadec-Klee property for global convergence in measure in a symmetric space E.