Seoul shares opened higher on Wednesday.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 8.03 points, or 0.39 percent, to trade at 2,053.15 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

South Korea's currency was quoted at 1,198.9 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., down 4.3 won from the previous close.