South Korean stocks got off to a strong start Tuesday on bargain hunting following a sharp drop the previous day.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 47.93 points, or 2.06 percent, to 2,376.13 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
The index nose-dived 5.57 percent Monday on panic selling out of concerns over an escalating global trade war triggered by US reciprocal tariffs.
In the United States, major stocks finished mixed as US President Donald Trump remained firm on tariffs, warning he could further increase levies on China.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.91 percent, and the S&P 500 lost 0.23 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.1 percent.
In Seoul, most shares started in positive territory.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics jumped 3.01 percent on its better-than-expected first-quarter earnings guidance released before the market opened.
Chip giant SK hynix vaulted 4.61 percent, and leading battery maker LG Energy Solution rose 2.17 percent.
Top carmaker Hyundai Motor climbed 0.39 percent, and steelmaker Posco Holdings advanced 1.57 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,468.6 won against the US dollar at 9:15 a.m., down 3.3 won from the previous session. (Yonhap)
