Seoul shares open lower on tech losses

South Korean stocks got off to a weak start Thursday led by losses in techs and shipbuilders, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) lost 5.83 points, or 0.3 percent, to 1,929.36 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Tech heavyweight Samsung Electronics retreated 1.03 percent and leading shipyard Hyundai Heavy Industries fell 0.82 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,131.35 won to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 4.55 won from Wednesday's close. (Yonhap News)