South Korean stocks opened nearly flat Tuesday as investors sought profit-taking after the market closed at a record-high level in the previous session.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 0.35 point, or 0.01 percent, to 2,451.88 in the first 15 minutes of trading.


Market kingpin Samsung Electronics was 0.63 percent down, and SK hynix, a major chipmaker, also fell 1.23 percent.

Hyundai Motor, the No. 1 automaker, moved up 1.03 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,117.00 won against the US dollar, down 3.00 won from the previous session's close.