SEOUL: South Korean stocks opened higher Monday on the back of strong gains in tech firms and carmakers, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 19.37 points, or 0.95 percent, to 2,066.33 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Tech shares led the gain, with Samsung Electronics rising 1.11 percent and chipmaker SK hynix climbing 0.57 percent. LG Electronics added 0.39 percent.
Carmakers also traded higher, with No. 1 Hyundai Motor increasing 2.31 percent and auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis moving up 1.22 percent. Kia Motors added 1.09 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,103.10 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 4.00 won from Friday’s close.
