Seoul shares opens lower on weak U.S., China economic data

South Korean stocks opened lower onday, weighed down by weak U.S. and Chinese economic data that overshadowed easing eurozone jitters ahead of a European Union summit meeting, analysts said.

The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 1.19 percent, or 22.06 points, to 1,825.33 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics lost 2.28 percent, with top automaker Hyundai Motor also giving up 1.23 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,159.9 won to the greenback as of 9:15 a.m., down 3.1 won from Friday's close. (Yonhap News)