South Korean share prices opened in negative territory Tuesday on losses in financial shares.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index edged down 0.9 point, or 0.04 percent, to 2,013.75, during the first 15 minutes of trading. 


Financials were hit by pressure from the government to lead corporate restructuring efforts on faltering sectors, such as shipbuilding and construction.

Shinhan Financial Group retreated 2.84 percent, and KB Financial Group lost 1.64 percent.

Tech shares were in positive terrain, with Samsung Electronics rising 1.17 percent as analysts projected an upbeat outlook for its first-quarter earnings on the back of strong sales of the Galaxy S7 series.

SK hynix, the world’s second-largest chipmaker, gained 1.45 percent although its first-quarter profit plunged 65.4 percent from a year earlier due to falling demand.

(khnews@heraldcorp.com)