Korean shares started lower Tuesday as weak Chinese economic data added concerns about a global slowdown amid slumping oil prices.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) lost 10.3 points, or 0.54 percent, to 1,914.52 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Market heavyweights traded bearish across the board after China's manufacturing sector shrank in January at the fastest pace since 2012.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics declined 0.86 percent, and top automaker Hyundai Motor retreated 0.38 percent.
