South Korean stocks got off to a strong start on Wednesday, buoyed by gains in key exporters, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 10.61 points, or 0.53 percent, to 1,996.44 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics gained 0.6 percent and No. 2 memory chip maker SK hynix climbed 2.32 percent.

In contrast, defensive shares were trading in negative territory, with discount chain operator E-mart falling 1.76 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,079.25 won to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 1.95 won from Tuesday's close. (Yonhap News)