South Korean stocks began higher on Tuesday on the back of gains in major automakers, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) inched up 0.31 points, or 0.02 percent, to 1,982.22 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Autos led the climb with the country's top automaker Hyundai Motor gaining 0.72 percent and its parts affiliate Hyundai Mobis adding 0.84 percent.

Some large caps, however, traded in negative territory, with market bellwether Samsung Electronics slipping 0.27 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,081.65 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 0.45 won from Monday's close. (Yonhap News)