South Korean stocks turned lower after a strong start on Thursday as poor U.S. corporate earnings raised concerns over a global economic downturn, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shed 2.24 points, or 0.13 percent, to trade at 1,767.07 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Market heavyweights traded mixed, with top-cap Samsung Electronics rising 0.35 percent and flat panel giant LG Display falling 2.6 percent.

U.S. markets finished mixed overnight as investors were disappointed by Apple Inc.'s forecast-missing quarterly earnings.

The local currency was trading at 1,148.55 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 2.45 won from Wednesday's close.(Yonhap News)