Seoul shares open higher on bargain hunting

SEOUL, June 19 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks started stronger Friday as
investors picked up blue-chip bargains after four consecutive days of losses,
analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) advanced 10.42 points, or
0.76 percent, to 1,386.18 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Most large-cap shares gained substantial ground with market leader Samsung
Electronics cutting losses in the previous session.
The local currency was trading at 1,267.15 to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m.,
down 0.85 won from Thursday's close, as foreign investors dumped local shares.
ygkim@yna.co.kr
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