South Korean stocks opened higher Friday on the back of signs of an economic recovery in China, the United States and the eurozone, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) increased 6.11 points, or 0.33 percent, to 1,855.23 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Tech shares led the market gain, with No. 1 player Samsung Electronics adding 1.35 percent and its rival LG Electronics climbing 0.57 percent. Top chipmaker SK Hynix gained 1.07 percent.

Carmakers also traded higher, with Hyundai Motor moving up 0.66 percent and its auto-parts affiliate Hyundai Mobis advancing 0.76 percent. Leading shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries added 1.19 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,120.55 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 2.45 won from Thursday's close. (Yonhap News)