Korean shares started lower Wednesday as investors opted to cash in part of recent gains amid increased economic uncertainties.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index slipped 7.04 points, or 0.35 percent, to 2,009.85 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Most large caps traded mixed with market kingpin Samsung Electronics falling 0.20 percent.

Top automaker Hyundai Motor shed 0.77 percent, and top steelmaker POSCO also fell 1.82 percent.

In contrast, Naver, the operator of the country's top Internet portal, dropped 0.56 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,142,20 won against the U.S. dollar, down 6.2 won from the previous session's close. (Yonhap)