South Korean stocks opened slightly lower Friday, tracking Wall Street losses, as investors moved to lock in profits from recent gains.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 4.05 points, or 0.15 percent, to 2,633.05 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Overnight, US shares fell amid lack of fresh momentum and uncertainties surrounding the impact of US President Donald Trump's tariff scheme.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down 0.03 percent, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite lost 0.33 percent.
In Seoul, top-cap tech shares opened higher to limit the fall of the index.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics surged 1.66 percent, and chip giant SK hynix soared 2.38 percent.
Bio shares opened higher. Major bio firm Samsung Biologics increased 1.12 percent, and Celltrion advanced 1.02 percent.
Top automaker Hyundai Motor added 0.25 percent, and its sister affiliate Kia edged up 0.21 percent.
But leading battery maker LG Energy Solution lost 1.35 percent, and No. 1 steelmaker POSCO Holdings sank 2.26 percent.
Defense giant Hanwha Aerospace sank 13.3 percent as the company announced a record 3.6 trillion won ($2.5 billion) for broader global investment plans in future growth sectors.
The local currency was trading at 1,466.45 won against the greenback at 9:15 a.m., down 7.55 won from the previous session. (Yonhap)
