Seoul stocks open stronger on financial, tech rallies

SEOUL, Aug. 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks got off to a strong start
Thursday, led by gains in financial and tech companies, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) climbed 12.66 points, or
0.82 percent, to trade at 1,558.62 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Following recent losses, institutions scrambled to hunt for bargains, providing
upward momentum,
The South Korean currency was trading at 1,244.8 won to the U.S. dollar as of
9:15 a.m., up 11.2 won from Wednesday's close.
pbr@yna.co.kr
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