Seoul stocks open stronger on UAE nuclear-power deal

SEOUL, Dec. 28 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks started stronger Monday, led by
builders and a local utility firm that jointly won a US$40 billion deal to build
nuclear power plants in the United Arab Emirates, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) advanced 8.77 points, or
0.52 percent, to 1,691.11 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
A South Korean consortium Sunday won the contract, one of the world's biggest
nuclear deals on offer, to build and operate four nuclear power plants.
The consortium includes state-owned Korea Electric Power Corp, Hyundai
Engineering & Construction Co., Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Co. and
Samsung C&T Co.
The local currency was trading at 1,169.05 won to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15
a.m., down 6.5 won from Thursday's close.
pbr@yna.co.kr
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