South Korean stocks opened lower Monday as the rising uncertainties over the U.S. debt-ceiling debate and budget plan dented investors' sentiment here, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) moved down 15.57 points, or 0.77 percent, to 1,966.23 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Tech blue chips traded lower, with No. 1 player Samsung Electronics falling 0.15 percent and top chipmaker SK hynix losing 0.66 percent. Leading flat panel maker LG Display shed 1.31 percent.
Carmakers also lost ground, with Hyundai Motor decreasing 0.58 percent and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors moving down 1.07 percent. Top auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis lost 2.04 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,077.00 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., down 3.30 won from Friday's close. (Yonhap News)
