Seoul shares open up on bargain hunting

SEOUL, Feb. 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks opened higher Monday on bargain
hunting by retailers and institutional investors following their recent bearish
sessions, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) inched up 2.06 points, or
0.19 percent, to 1,068.01 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The upturn came
after the index lost ground for five days in a row.
Blue-chip shares traded mixed with tech and electronics issues leading the
advance. Financial shares, however, remained weak amid lingering concerns over a
credit crisis.
The local currency was trading at 1,502 won to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m.,
up 4 won from Friday's close.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
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