Seoul shares opened higher on Monday, driven by gains in technology companies ahead of second-quarter earnings results.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 86.11 points, or 1.06 percent, to 8,174.45 at the opening bell.
Tech stocks led the gains, with market bellwether Samsung Electronics rising 4.2 percent and chip giant SK hynix advancing 1.53 percent.
Investors are eyeing corporate earnings results for signs that massive spending on AI infrastructure is resulting in profits.