Seoul shares opened higher on Thursday.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 12.14 points, or 0.51 percent, to trade at 2,394.70 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

South Korea's currency was quoted at 1,140.05 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 3.85 won from the previous close.