Seoul shares open higher on exporter, bank gains

SEOUL, March 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks got off to a strong start Monday
as investors snapped up exporters and financial shares, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 18.88 points, or
1.79 percent, to 1,073.91 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Most shares opened in positive territory led by tech and financial shares.
Consumer electronics giant LG Electronics gained more than 4 percent and No. 2
financial services company Shinhan Financial Group added 3.4 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,537.65 to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up
12.35 won from Friday's close.
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
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