South Korean shares opened lower on Tuesday as investors remained concerned over China's financial uncertainty.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shed 4.18 points, or 0.22 percent, to 1,874.27 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Builders opened bearish, with Hyundai Engineering & Construction decreasing 1.9 percent and Daelim Industrial losing 3.5 percent. GS Engineering & Construction plunged 1.1 percent.

Carmakers also started weaker, with Hyundai Motor falling 1.08 percent and its smaller sister Kia Motors sliding 0.21. Auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis shed 0.41 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,209.90 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 1 won from the previous session's close. (Yonhap)