South Korean stocks got off to a strong start Friday, buoyed by upbeat economic data in the United States and the policy rate cut by the European Central Bank (ECB), analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 4.77 points, or 0.24 percent, to 1,961.98 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Telecom companies and metal manufacturers drove up shares, with No. 1 mobile carrier SK Telecom jumping 2.5 percent and zinc smelter Korea Zinc hiking nearly 5 percent.

The U.S. March trade deficit came lower than market consensus, with a five-year low unemployment claim logged last week. The ECB cut its benchmark rate by a quarter percentage point to 0.5 percent, adding to hopes for an economic stimulus in Europe.

The local currency was trading at 1,100.75 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 0.75 won from Thursday's close. (Yonhap News)