Seoul shares open higher on bargain hunting

SEOUL, May 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks started stronger Friday as investors picked up blue-chip bargains, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) advanced 12.32 points, or
0.89 percent, to 1,393.27 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Most large-cap shares gained substantial ground with market leader Samsung
Electronics rebounding from losses in the previous session.
The local currency was trading at 1,263.25 to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up
3.95 won from Thursday's close.
ygkim@yna.co.kr
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