South Korean stocks started marginally lower on Friday, as a drop in top-listed firms offset gains in cosmetics and food companies, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shed 2.04 points, or 0.09 percent, to trade at 2,284.78 in the first 15 minutes of trading. 

Top-cap Samsung Electronics lost almost 1 percent, with No. 1 automaker Hyundai Motor sliding 1.6 percent.

But top cosmetics maker AmorePacific gained around 1 percent and major food maker CJ Cheiljedang climbed 0.8 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,128.20 won against the US dollar, down 3.7 won from Thursday's close. (Yonhap)