Seoul shares open higher on blue-chip gains

SEOUL, March 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks started higher Tuesday as big
caps rallied, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 10.51 points, or
0.93 percent, to 1,135.97 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Financials, including KB Financial Group, led the early gains, and blue-chip
shares including Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Heavy Industries also rebounded
from Monday's declines.
The South Korean currency was trading at 1427.5 won to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15
a.m., up 12.5 won from Monday's close.
ygkim@yna.co.kr
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