Seoul shares opened lower on Wednesday, with the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index ( KOSPI) edging down 0.54 points, or 0.03 percent, to trade at 1,993. 52 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

The South Korean currency was quoted at 1,084.9 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., down 0.8 won from Tuesday's close. Endi