South Korean stocks opened higher Tuesday as investors' sentiment was heightened by an improved outlook over the eurozone economy, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 7.01 points, or 0.37 percent, to 1,891.84 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Tech shares led the market gain, with Samsung Electronics adding 0.97 percent and top chipmaker SK hynix advancing 1.67 percent. Flat panel maker LG Display gained 1.59 percent.

Financial firms also traded higher, with Shinhan Financial moving up 0.25 percent and Woori Finance increasing 0.88 percent.

Samsung Life Insurance rose 0.97 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,116.75 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., down 3.05 won from Monday's close. (Yonhap News)