South Korean stocks opened higher Friday due mainly to gains in technology firms and carmakers, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 9.37 points, or 0.48 percent, to 1,978.56 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Tech blue chips drove up the market, with Samsung Electronics advancing 0.4 percent and top chipmaker SK hynix moving up 0.64 percent. Flat panel maker LG Display added 0.34 percent.

Carmakers also gathered ground, with No. 1 Hyundai Motor rising 2.22 percent and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors climbing 2.44 percent. Leading auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis added 2.33 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,123.35 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 3.35 won from Thursday's close. (Yonhap News)