South Korean stocks started lower on Thursday as a grim outlook for local firms' third-quarter earnings dented investor sentiment, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) lost 4.86 points, or 0.25 percent, to 1,909.10 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Tech blue chips led the decline, with market bellwether Samsung Electronics sliding 0.46 percent and flat panel giant LG Display losing 0.33 percent.

Leading carmaker Hyundai Motor fell 2.06 percent and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors declined 0.16 percent. Top auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis shed 1.97 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,102.85 won to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., down 0.75 won from Wednesday's close. (Yonhap News)