Seoul shares open lower on uncertainties

South Korean stocks opened lower Wednesday as investors continued to take a wait-and-see approach on the United States' stimulus moves down the road, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 2.83 points, or 0.15 percent, to 1,863.53 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Tech shares traded lower, with handset maker LG Electronics falling 0.7 percent and top flat panel maker LG Display losing 0.18 percent. Samsung SDI, the world's top maker of plasma display panels, lost 2.55 percent.

Carmakers also traded lower, with No. 1 Hyundai Motor moving down 0.47 percent and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors decreasing 0.34 percent. Top auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis shed 0.39 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,116.75 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 1.25 from Tuesday's close. (Yonhap News)