Korean share prices opened in the negative Monday after global stock markets took a hit last week on tumbling crude oil prices.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shed 19.23 points, or 1.02 percent, to 1,859.64 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

The index was trading slightly higher at 1867.58, as of 10:00 a.m.

Most market heavyweights remained in the negative terrain.

Top market cap Samsung Electronics dipped 2.83 percent, and global chipmaker SK hynix was down 2.24 percent. No. 1 automaker Hyundai Motor declined 1.44 percent, and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors shed 3.33 percent.

Oil prices hit 12-year lows last week, falling below $30 a barrel at the prospect of additional Iranian supply hitting markets.

Key stock markets, including those in the U.S. and Europe, closed lower on the news.

The Dow Jones industrial average tumbled 2.39 percent, while the Nasdaq composite shed 2.74 percent.   

(khnews@heraldcorp.com)