South Korean stocks opened higher on Thursday, on the back of gains in techs and retailers, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 3.77 points, or 0.19 percent, to 1,939.08 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Tech shares gathered ground, with top chipmaker SK hynix rising 2.23 percent and a local handset maker LG Electronics adding 1.33 percent. Top flat panel manufacturer LG Display gained 0.5 percent.

Retailers also traded higher, with discount store chain E-Mart adding 0.73 percent and Lotte Shopping rising 0.36 percent. Hyundai Department Store added 1.51 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,115.60 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 2.10 won from Wednesday's close. (Yonhap News)