South Korean stocks got off to a strong start Friday, as the eurozone central bank chief's pledge to save the euro boosted investor confidence, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 27.57 points, or 1.55 percent to 1,810.04 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Shares gathered ground across the board, with top-cap Samsung Electronics rising nearly 2 percent and leading oil refiner SK Innovation jumping 3.5 percent.

The European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi vowed on Thursday to do what it takes to protect the 17-nation currency, raising hopes for a direct intervention by the ECB including bond purchases.

The local currency was trading at 1,141.80 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 5.1 won from Thursday's close. (Yonhap News)