South Korean stocks opened higher Monday led by gains in technology firms and carmakers, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 8.98 points, or 0.46 percent, to 1,947.52 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Tech shares led the market gain, with Samsung Electronics rising 0.71 percent and its smaller rival LG Electronics climbing 0.61 percent. Flat panel maker LG Display added 1.15 percent.

Carmakers also gathered ground, with No. 1 Hyundai Motor moving up 2.26 percent and its affiliate Hyundai Mobis increasing 0.73 percent. Kia Motors gained 1.55 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,056.40 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 5.00 won from Friday's close. (Yonhap News)