South Korean stocks got off to a strong start on Thursday, fueled by advances in shares of automakers and technology firms, analysts said.

   The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose
17.37 points, or 0.9 percent, to 1,945.61 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

   Autos propped up the KOSPI with Kia Motors rising more than 2 percent and Hyundai Mobis, the country's largest auto parts maker, adding nearly 2 percent.

   Tech plays were also bullish with chip giant Hynix Semiconductor adding almost 2 percent.

   The local currency was trading at 1,123.25 won to the greenback as of 9:15 a.m., up 4.95 won from Wednesday's close.

(Yonhap News)