South Korean stocks opened higher Tuesday as US shares reached an all-time high overnight on growing optimism over the US economy.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 9.84 points, or 0.4 percent, to 2,474.19 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 0.36 percent higher to set an all-time high level. The S&P 500 advanced 0.22 percent, also reaching a fresh high. The tech-heavy Nasdaq added 0.32 percent as well.

In Seoul, top tech giant Samsung Electronics remained unchanged, while No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix lost 1.33 percent. Leading battery maker LG Energy Solution shot up 1.08 percent.

Carmakers kicked off higher, with industry leader Hyundai Motor advancing 1.55 percent and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors gaining 0.57 percent. Auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis added 1.01 percent.

IT giants opened bullish as well, with Naver rising 0.69 percent, and Kakao, which operates KakaoTalk, the country's top mobile messenger, jumping 0.71 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,339 won against the US dollar, down 0.1 won from the previous session's close. (Yonhap)