South Korean stocks opened almost flat Thursday as investors were divided over whether the European Central Bank will take monetary easing steps, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 0.37 points, or 0.02 percent, to 1,997.62 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Carmakers traded mixed, with No. 1 Hyundai Motor falling 0.4 percent and its auto parts affiliate Hyundai Mobis edging down 0.62 percent. Kia Motors climbed 0.66 percent.

Tech firms also traded bearish, with market behemoth Samsung Electronics falling 0.07 percent and chipmaker SK hynix losing 0.27 percent. No. 2 tech player LG Electronics remained unchanged.

The local currency was trading at 1,058.66 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., down 1.95 won from Wednesday's close

(Yonhap)