Seoul shares open lower on profit-taking

SEOUL, Sept. 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks got off to a weak start Wednesday
as investors took profits from the previous session's sharp gains, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) declined 3.93 points, or
0.23 percent, to 1,714.95 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
The KOSPI hit a 15-month high on Tuesday as foreign investors poured money into
large-cap shares across the board, driven by an appetite for non-dollar assets.
The local currency was trading at 1,196.15 won to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15
a.m., up 7.65 won from Tuesday's close.
ygkim@yna.co.kr
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