South Korean stocks started lower on Friday with losses in tech and financial stocks, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 8.79 points, or 0.44 percent, to 1,990.51 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Tech and financial shares led the overall market decline, with top market cap Samsung Electronics falling 0.07 percent.
Automakers remained in the positive terrain. Industry leader Hyundai Motor rose 0.22 percent, and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors advanced 0.18 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,058.05 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 1.25 won from Thursday's close. (Yonhap News)
