S. Korean shares open higher on techs, refiners

SEOUL, March 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks started higher on Thursday on gains in tech and energy stocks.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 7 points, or 0.36 percent, to 1,959.95 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Tech shares traded higher, with top player Samsung Electronics adding 1.01 percent.

Top refiner SK Innovation advanced 2.99 percent and LG Chem, the country's leading chemicals firm, remained flat.

Hyundai Motor, the nation's leading automaker, suffered 0.67 percent fall and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors fell 0.72 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,211.85 against the U.S. dollar, up 4.3 won from the previous session's close.

sam@yna.co.kr
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