Seoul shares opened lower on Wednesday.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) declined 19.08 points, or 0.93 percent, to trade at 2,023.09 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

South Korea's currency was quoted at 1,207.80 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., down 0.20 won from Tuesday's close.