Seoul shares open higher on economic stimulus measure

SEOUL, Nov. 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks started higher Tuesday as investor
sentiment was lifted by the government's recent economic stimulus measures,
analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 5.45 points, or 0.48
percent, to 1,134.53 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
On Monday, the Finance Ministry unveiled an economic stimulus package worth 14
trillion won (US$10.76 billion), which includes a 10-trillion won budget increase
for next year and diverse deregulation measures aimed at boosting the nation's
slumping construction sector. Major builders and financials led the market's
gains.
The local currency was trading at 1,283 won to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m.,
down 21 won from Monday's close.