Seoul shares open lower on blue-chip losses

South Korean stocks got off to a weak start Thursday, dented by losses in blue chips, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 12.04 points, or 0.62 percent, to 1,916.50 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Large-cap shares dipped across the board, with market bellwether Samsung Electronics sinking 1.06 percent and No. 1 automaker Hyundai Motor sliding 1.02 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,135.10 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., down 1.7 won from Wednesday's close. (Yonhap News)