Korean shares open nearly flat ahead of FOMC minute

Korean stocks started nearly flat Monday as investors took a wait-and-see approach on the U.S. Federal Open Market Committee's March minutes to be announced later this week.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) edged down 1.46 points, or 0.07 percent, to 1,972.11 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Tech shares traded mixed, with Samsung Electronics adding 0.16 percent while chipmaker SK hynix lost 1.06 percent. LG Electronics moved up 1.48 percent.

Mobile carriers were also divided, with SK Telecom decreasing 0.95 percent while LG Uplus, the smallest player, inched up 0.45 percent. KT shed 0.84 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,150.50 won against the U.S. dollar, up 3.7 won from Friday's close. (Yonhap)