Seoul shares open higher on U.S. gains

SEOUL, June 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks got off to a strong start on Friday as overnight rallies on Wall Street stoked investor appetite, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) jumped 14.57 points, or 0.7 percent, to 2,085.99 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Institutions and retail investors picked up shares of automakers and shipbuilders. Foreigners, however, opted to unload their holdings.
Blue chips led the climb, with auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis and No. 2 automaker Kia Motors both adding more than 2 percent. Top chemical manufacturer LG Chem also gained over 2 percent.
In contrast, chip giant Hynix Semiconductor sank more than 3 percent amid growing speculation over its sale.
The local currency was trading at 1,080.05 won to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 2.85 won from Thursday's close.
mil@yna.co.kr