Seoul shares open higher on tech, auto gains

SEOUL, Jan. 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks opened higher Wednesday as
investors scooped up tech and auto shares, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 6.19 points, or 0.37
percent, to 1,696.81 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Tech blue chips and automakers led the market's run. Market leader Samsung
Electronics surpassed the 831,000 won (US$727) mark in early trading and top
carmaker Hyundai Motor advanced almost 2 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,143.30 won to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15
a.m., down 2.80 won from Tuesday's close. The Korean won hit a 15-month high
against the dollar Tuesday on foreign investors' increased appetite for risky
assets.
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)