Seoul stocks open lower on profit-taking

SEOUL, Jan. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks started lower on Thursday on
profit-taking following a five-day bull run, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 16.02 points, or 1.3
percent, to 1,212.15 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Most large-cap shares traded in negative territory as investors booked profits on
their recent surges.
The local currency was trading at 1,313.25 won to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15
a.m., down 20.75 won from Wednesday's close.
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)