South Korean stocks opened lower on Tuesday due to weak growth momentum on the local market, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 4.01 points, or 0.2 percent, to 1,957.47 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Tech shares traded bearish, with market behemoth Samsung Electronics falling 0.92 percent and top chipmaker SK hynix losing 0.69 percent. LG Electronics moved down 0.35 percent.

Carmakers also lost ground, with No. 1 industry player Hyundai Motor falling 1.51 percent and Kia Motors decreasing 1.61 percent. Hyundai Mobis, top auto parts manufacturer, shed 1.34 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,095.10 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., down 0.60 won from Monday's close. (Yonhap News