South Korean stocks opened lower on Tuesday as shares of Samsung affiliates dragged down the main stock index, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index moved down 4.11 points, or 0.21 percent, to 1,916.84 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Tech giant Samsung Electronics fell 0.30 percent, and Cheil Industries, the de facto holding company of Samsung Group, dropped 2.37 percent. Tech solutions provider Samsung SDS also tumbled 3.46 percent.

Retailers were also trading in negative territory, with No. 1 Lotte Shopping decreasing 0.58 percent and discount store chain Emart dipping 0.24 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,083.75 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., down 2.35 won from Monday's close. (Yonhap)