S. Korean shares open higher on tech, mobile carriers

SEOUL, March 7 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks started higher on Monday on gains in tech stocks and chemical shares.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) advanced 1.52 points, or 0.28 percent, to 1,961.15 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Tech shares traded higher, with Samsung Electronics up 0.33 percent and global chipmaker SK hynix adding 0.47 percent.

LG Chem, the country's leading chemicals firm, gained 0.34 percent.

In contrast, Hyundai Motor, the nation's leading automaker, declined 1.02 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,202.70 won against the U.S. dollar, up 0.7 won from Friday's close.

sam@yna.co.kr
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