Seoul shares open higher on bargain hunting

SEOUL, Jan. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks started stronger Friday as investors picked up blue-chip bargains following a plunge during the previous session, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) advanced 3.23 points, or
0.19 percent, to 1,686.68 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Shipbuilders and construction shares led the overall gains. Hyundai Heavy
Industries, the world's No. 1 shipyard, climbed 2.58 percent and top domestic
builder Daewoo Engineering & Construction also opened higher.
The local currency was trading at 1,134.70 to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up
0.70 won from Thursday's close.
ygkim@yna.co.kr
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