Seoul shares turn lower after strong start

SEOUL, July 13 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks began higher on Wednesday but soon shifted into negative territory, weighed down by losses in the tech sector, analysts said.
   The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) slipped 0.98 points, or 0.05 percent, to 2,108.75 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
   Techs were among the biggest decliners, with chip giant Hynix Semiconductor falling nearly 3 percent.
   In contrast, automakers and oil refiners outperformed the market. Second-largest automaker Kia Motors gained almost 1 percent and top oil refiner SK Innovation advanced more than 1 percent.
   The local currency was trading at 1,063.6 won to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 2.9 won from Tuesday's close.