South Korean stocks began a tad higher Thursday on gains in tech and chemical shares, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 2.17 points, or 0.11 percent, to 1,978.24 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Foreigners snapped up a net 7.4 billion won (US$6.8 million) worth of local equities as of 9:15 a.m.

Auto and chemical issues led the gain, with No. 1 carmaker Hyundai Motor rising 0.2 percent and industry leader LG Chem advancing 1 percent.

Market behemoth Samsung Electronics, however, lost 0.27 percent, with flat panel giant LG Display falling 0.5 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,085.95 won against the U.S. dollar, up 1.5 won from Wednesday's close. (Yonhap News)