Seoul shares open higher on global stimulus hopes

South Korean stocks opened higher Wednesday on expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank will provide more stimulus to counter sluggish global economic growth, analysts said.

The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 0.64 percent, or 12.03 points, to 1,903.80 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics rose 0.48 percent, with top automaker Hyundai Motor gaining 0.79 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,153.55 won to the greenback as of 9:15 a.m., up 2.75 won from Tuesday's close. (Yonhap News)