South Korean stocks started higher Thursday on the back of technology companies and steelmakers, shrugging off concerns of additional terrorist attacks in Paris.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 11.58 points, or 0.59 percent, to 1,974.46 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Samsung Electronics increased 0.47 percent, and its smaller rival LG Electronics climbed 1.11 percent. Chip giant SK hynix rose 0.65 percent.

No. 1 steelmaker POSCO advanced 1.19 percent, and Korea Zinc moved up 0.22 percent. Hyundai Steel increased 1.21 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,165.60 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 6.6 won from Wednesday's close. (Yonhap)