Seoul stocks open sharply higher on tech rally

SEOUL, Jan. 28 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks started sharply higher Wednesday,
lifted by big gains in tech shares, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) surged 41.85 points, or
3.83 percent, to 1,135.25 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Big-cap tech shares soared as foreign and institutional investors scooped them up
after U.S. stock indexes rose modestly on Tuesday on eased earnings concerns.
The local currency was trading at 1,383.5 won to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m.,
up 7.4 won from Friday's close. The local financial market was closed Monday and
Tuesday for the Lunar New Year holiday.
pbr@yna.co.kr
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