Seoul shares open lower ahead of BOK's rate decision

Seoul shares open lower ahead of BOK's rate decision

South Korean stocks started lower Thursday, as investors are waiting for the central bank's key rate decision later in the day. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 7.98 points, or 0.32 percent, to 2,511.83 in the first 15 minutes of trading. In a rate-setting meeting, the Bank of Korea is widely expected to keep the rate unchanged at 3.5 percent. Major shares went south, with market bellwether Samsung Electronics falling 0.28 pe…