Korean stocks got off to a strong start on Tuesday, led by gains in large-cap shares, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 17.1 points, or 0.88 percent, to 1,949.54 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Blue chips gained ground across the board, with market bellwether Samsung Electronics adding 0.45 percent and leading carmaker Hyundai Motor gaining 0.81 percent.
However, Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world's biggest shipyard, fell 2.26 percent on lower-than-expected second-quarter earnings.
The local currency was changing hands at 1,130.35 won to the greenback as of 9:15 a.m., up 0.75 won from Monday's close.
