Seoul shares turn lower after strong start

SEOUL, May 19 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks began higher on Thursday but shifted to negative territory due to losses in financial shares, analysts said. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 6.29 points, or 0.29 percent, to 2,129.49 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Bank issues lost ground with Shinhan Financial Group, the third-largest banking group, falling more than 2 percent and market leader KB Financial Group shedding over 1 percent. In contrast, blue-chip exporters outperformed the market with Hyundai Motor and LG Electronics both adding more than 2 percent. The local currency was trading at 1,086.75 won to the greenback as of 9:15 a.m., up 1.15 won from Wednesday's close.