South Korean stocks opened slightly higher Monday, as a hike in Japanese government bond yields last week lifted lingering concerns over yen weakness, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 2.98 points, or 0.15 percent to 1,976.43 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Blue-chip exporters drove up the main index, with tech heavyweight Samsung Electronics gaining 0.61 percent and Kia Motors, smaller affiliate of No. 1 carmaker Hyundai Motor, rising more than 1 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,129.25 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., down 1.85 won from Friday's close. (Yonhap News)