South Korean stocks opened sharply higher Thursday, as disappointing U.S. growth data eased concerns that its government may start withdrawing its monetary easing policy, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) jumped 35.93 points, or 2.01 percent, to 1,819.38 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Top-listed firms gathered ground, with Samsung Electronics shooting up nearly 4 percent and Hyundai Motor gaining 2.4 percent.
The U.S. economy expanded 1.8 percent on-year in the first quarter, lower than what market experts have estimated.
The local currency was trading at 1,150.20 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 3.3 won from Wednesday's close. (Yonhap News)
