SEOUL, Seoul shares opened higher Monday as institutions and foreign investors scooped up tech, bio and other blue chips.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index climbed 0.49 percent, or 12.11 points, to 2,490.67 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics gained 0.41 percent, and its consumer electronics rival LG Electronics rose 1.07 percent.

Bio shares also traded higher, with Samsung Biologics soaring 5.30 percent and Celltrion advancing 2.41 percent.

Auto and energy stocks gained momentum as well. Hyundai Motor and Kia rose 0.91 percent and 1.91 percent, respectively, and leading refiner SK Innovation added 1.99 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,338.05 won against the U.S. dollar, down 1.75 won from the previous session’s close.

Source: Yonhap News Agency