[THE INVESTOR] South Korean shares opened lower June 21 as fresh polls showed that Britain’s planned exit from the European Union is possible.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index slid 4.31 points, or 0.23 percent, to 1,976.20 during the first 15 minutes of trading.

Some large-cap stocks shrunk on profit-taking. 
Market top cap Samsung Electronics decreased 0.1 percent, and electric provider Korea Electric Power Corp. fell 1.34 percent. LG Chem fell 4.3 percent.

Among gainers, cosmetics giant AmorePacific hiked 0.85 percent, and top refiner SK Innovation rose 0.70 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,159.70 won against the US dollar, up 1.15 won from the previous session’s close.

(theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)