South Korean stocks got off to a strong start Tuesday, as upbeat U.S. housing data and the new Italian government eased jitters over the global economy, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) soared 13.86 points, or 0.71 percent, to 1,954.56 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Most shares gathered ground, with LG Uplus, the country's smallest mobile carrier, and electronic parts maker LG Innotek rising more than 2 percent.

U.S. markets finished up Monday on a forecast-beating consumer spending index and housing data that hit a three-year high in March. Italy formed a broad coalition under new Prime Minister Enrico Letta, giving relief to investors.

The local currency was trading at 1,103.25 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 3.95 won from Monday's close. (Yonhap News)