South Korean stocks opened a tad lower Tuesday as investors took to the sidelines in the absence of major events related to the US Federal Reserve's timeline for tapering its stimulus.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (Kospi) fell 1.82 points, or 0.06 percent, to 3,201.51 points in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Overnight, the US stock exchanges were closed for a holiday.

In Seoul, top cap Samsung Electronics lost 0.91 percent, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix retreated 0.47 percent.

Internet portal operator Naver moved down 0.44 percent, and pharmaceutical giant Samsung Biologics decreased 0.21 percent.

Leading chemical firm LG Chem gained 0.27 percent, and top automaker Hyundai Motor declined 0.7 percent. Top bank stock Kakao Bank fell 1.68 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,156.35 won against the US dollar, up 0.15 won from the previous session's close. (Yonhap)