South Korean stocks opened a tad lower Tuesday but soon moved to positive territory on gains in auto and tech shares, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 1.33 points, or 0.07 percent, to 1,988.19 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics climbed 0.21 percent and LG Display advanced 1.58 percent.

Top automaker Hyundai Motor gained 0.24 percent and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors added 0.56 percent.

The local currency was changing hands at 1,062.8 won against the greenback, up 0.1 won from Monday's close. (Yonhap News)