Seoul shares open higher on foreign buying

SEOUL, Jan. 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares started higher on Tuesday as
foreign investors snapped up auto shares on bargain hunting, analysts said.

The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 3.81 points, or 0.22 percent,
to 1,697.93 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Auto shares were among the bright spots. Top auto maker Hyundai Motor Co. gained
nearly 2 percent and its affiliate Kia Motors Corp. advanced more than 1 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,121.75 won to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15
a.m., down 1.95 won from Monday's close.
ylee@yna.co.kr
(END)