Seoul shares turn higher after weak start

South Korean stocks turned higher following a weak start on Tuesday but continued to trade range-bound amid ongoing concerns over the fiscal crisis in Cyprus, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 3.6 points, or 0.18 percent, to 1,981.27 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Blue chips led the climb, with market bellwether Samsung Electronics adding 0.54 percent and the country's top automaker Hyundai Motor rising 0.46 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,110.65 won to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 0.15 won from Monday's close.(Yonhap News)