SEOUL: South Korean stocks started off a tad lower Tuesday as investors took to the sidelines due to lingering uncertainties over Greek debt issues and the ongoing outbreak of a potentially fatal respiratory illness here, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) inched down 3.08 points, or 0.15 percent, to 2,039.24 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Tech shares were bearish, with industry leader Samsung Electronics falling 0.71 percent and flat screen provider LG Display surrendering 1.1 percent. Top chipmaker SK hynix plunged 2.93 percent.
Autos remained weak, as Hyundai Motor withdrew 1.47 percent and car parts maker Hyundai Mobis lost 0.7 percent. Kia Motors backtracked 1.96 percent.
As of Tuesday morning, South Korea reported its 19th death from Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), with 154 people diagnosed with the illness.
The local currency was trading nearly flat at 1,117 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 0.3 won from Monday’s close.
