South Korean stocks turned lower after starting higher on Friday, led by losses in insurers and oil refiners, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) slipped 2.16 points, or 0.11 percent, to 1,881.81 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Leading nonlife insurer Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance fell 1.6 percent, with SK Innovation, a major oil refiner, dipping 1.4 percent.
But top-listed firms went up. Samsung Electronics climbed 1.2 percent, and Hyundai Motor rose 0.9 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,110.95 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 2.05 won from Thursday's close. (Yonhap News)
