SEOUL: South Korean stocks started lower on Monday, dragged down by losses in auto and construction firms, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) erased 3.59 points, or 0.18 percent, to 2,006.64 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Autos opened weak, with No. 1 Hyundai Motor slipping 0.36 percent and its affiliate Kia Motors moving back 0.84 percent. Car parts manufacturer Hyundai Mobis also fell 0.24 percent.
Builders also started bearish. Hyundai Engineering & Construction moved down 1.47 percent, and Daewoo Engineering & Construction surrendered 0.46 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,166.60 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., down 0.30 won from Friday’s close.
