South Korean stocks got off to a strong start Monday on gains in large-cap exporters, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 6.1 points, or 0.29 percent, to 2,093.86 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Hyundai Motor, the second-largest firm by market capitalization, climbed 0.6 percent and No. 3 SK hynix rose 1.38 percent.
Amore Pacific, the leading cosmetics firm, jumped 4.5 percent and Hotel Shilla soared 12.58 percent on news that it will run a joint duty-free shop with Hyundai Development Co.
The local currency was changing hands at 1,094.55 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., down 1.8 won from Friday’s close. (Yonhap)
