South Korean stocks began higher on Wednesday, boosted by gains in major technology firms, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 7.06 points, or 0.36 percent, to 1,963.02 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics rose 1.21 percent and SK hynix, which announced its fourth-quarter earnings ahead of the market's open, added 2.69 percent.

Shipbuilders were also bullish, with leading player Hyundai Heavy Industries gaining 1.61 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,079.6 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 2.9 won from Tuesday's close. (Yonhap News)