South Korean stocks opened higher Tuesday, as a slowdown in the yen's depreciation encouraged investors to make risky bets, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 5.25 points, or 0.27 percent to 1,985.22 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Large-cap chemical makers and heavy industries led the gain, with LG Chem climbing 1.4 percent and Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world's largest shipyard, moving up 0.3 percent.

The Japanese currency slowed its fast-descending pace on Monday, gathering ground to reach 101 yen to the U.S. dollar, amid growing doubts over the effectiveness of the Japanese government's monetary easing.

The local currency was trading at 1,122.80 won against the dollar as of 9:15 a.m., down 0.4 won from Monday's close. (Yonhap News)