Stocks open flat after Christmas break

The Kospi edged down 0.48 points, or 0.02 percent, to 2,599.03 in the first 30 minutes of trading.

Screens in Hana Bank's trading room in central Seoul show stock and foreign exchange markets close on Friday. [YONHAP]

Shares opened flat on Tuesday as major shares traded in mixed territory.

The Kospi edged down 0.48 points, or 0.02 percent, to 2,599.03 in the first 30 minutes of trading.

Market heavyweights were mixed, with Samsung Electronics rising 0.40 percent and SK hynix gaining 0.21 percent.

LG Energy Solution dropped by 0.12 percent, but LG Chem rose by 0.31 percent.

Hyundai Motor fell 0.05 percent, and Kia retreated 0.31 percent.

Naver gained 0.93 percent, while Kakao added 0.19 percent.

HMM, the country's leading container shipper, skidded down 2.13 percent. It was announced last week that HMM would be sold to poultry processor Harim Group but was met with uncertainty as credit rating agencies issued warnings about Harim's financial capability.

The local currency was trading at 1,299 won against the dollar, down 4 won from the previous session's close.

BY KIM JU-YEON, YONHAP [kim.juyeon2@joongang.co.kr]