SEOUL, South Korean stocks got off to a strong start Monday led by gains from tech and auto shares. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) moved up 26.98 points, or 1.02 percent, to 2,675.74 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics rose 0.82 percent, and major chipmaker SK hynix added 0.07 percent. Kia, the country's No. 2 carmaker, increased 1.73 percent, and its auto parts affiliate Hyundai Mobis jumped 3.25 percent. Top oil refiner SK Innovations climbed 1.97 percent, and leading zinc smelter Korean Zinc rose 0.32 percent. The local currency was trading at 1,332.05 won against the U.S. dollar, up 3.35 won from the previous session's close. Source: Yonhap News Agency
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