South Korean shares opened higher on Monday. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 18.92 points, or 0.94 percent, to trade at 2,042.39 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The South Korean currency was quoted at 1,121.75 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 3.85 won from Friday\'s close.