South Korean stocks began marginally lower Tuesday on losses in shares of large-cap insurers and brokerage houses, analysts said. 

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) inched down 0.84 points, or 0.04 percent to 1,887.02 in the first 15 minutes of trading. 

Leading player Samsung Life Insurance fell 0.5 percent with No.2 banking group KB Financial Group sliding more than 1 percent. 

Analysts predicted the main index to start weaker as investors may opt for profit-taking after the previous rallies. 

The local currency was trading at 1,115.10 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., down 2.4 won from Monday's close. (Yonhap news)