Seoul shares open higher on Fed hopes

SEOUL, Sept. 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks opened higher on Wednesday on expectations that the Federal Reserve may lay out measures to boost the fragile U.S. economy, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 11.83 points, or 0.04 percent, to trade at 1,849.80 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
The Seoul market showed high volatility this week as sentiment remained weak, hit by concerns that the eurozone debt crisis might be spreading into other countries.
Fed policymakers are holding a two-day policy meeting through Wednesday amid expectations that the U.S. central bank may unveil steps to boost the weakening economy.
The local currency was trading at 1,144.85 won to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 3.55 won from Tuesday's close.