Seoul shares open higher on institutional buying

SEOUL, Aug. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks got off to a strong start Monday
on institutional buying of tech blue chips, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 1.85 points, or
0.12 percent, to 1,609.79 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Tech exporters led the overall gains. Electronics giant Samsung Electronics
climbed 0.52 percent and Hynix Semiconductor, the world's second-largest
chipmaker, also opened higher.
The local currency was trading at 1,245.9 won to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m.,
down 1.5 won from Friday's close, as foreign investors reduced their holdings of
local shares.
ygkim@yna.co.kr
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