South Korean stocks started lower Thursday due to a sharp decline in carmakers and shipbuilders.
  

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 6.87 points, or 0.33 percent, to 2,045.90 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
  

Carmakers traded bearish, with Hyundai Motor falling 0.6 percent and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors remaining unchanged. Top auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis shed 0.4 percent.
  

Shipbuilders were also among losers, with Hyundai Heavy Industries decreasing 1.58 percent and Samsung Heavy Industries plunging 2.55 percent. Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering lost 2.64 percent.
  

The local currency was trading at 1,138.00 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., down 6 won from Wednesday's close. (Yonhap)