Seoul shares open higher on auto gains

SEOUL, Feb. 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks got off to a strong start Thursday
as investors snapped up Hyundai Motor Co. and other automakers following a
massive recall of vehicles by Toyota Motor Co., analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 3.04 points, or 0.19
percent, to 1,618.06 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Leading automaker Hyundai Motor rose 1.79 percent and its affiliate Kia Motors
gained 2.2 percent on market expectations that Korean carmakers will benefit from
their Japanese rival's auto recall.
The local currency was trading at 1,152.70 won to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15
a.m., down 3.70 won from Wednesday's close.
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
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