(LEAD) Seoul shares turn higher after weak start amid inflation woes

Seoul shares turned higher after a weak start Wednesday amid concerns that hotter-than-expected U.S. inflation could prompt rate hikes down the road.

After opening 0.56 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) turned higher, trading up 13.71 points, or 0.26 percent, at 5,252.84 as of 9:15 a.m.

On Tuesday, the index gained 4.39 percent, buoyed by a rally in U.S. technology stocks and falling oil prices.

Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.3 percent, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite declined 0.74 percent.

U.S. consumer prices rose at a higher-than-expected rate of 0.3 percent in October from the previous month, stoking concerns that the Federal Reserve could pursue a more aggressive monetary tightening policy to curb inflation.

In Seoul, large-cap stocks were mixed.

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics fell 0.2 percent, and its chipmaking rival SK hynix declined 0.5 percent.

Defense giant Hanwha Aerospace dropped 1.37 percent, and national flag carrier Korean Air shed 0.92 percent.

Among gainers, leading auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis rose 1.99 percent, and leading steelmaker POSCO Holdings climbed 1.29 percent.

The Korean won was quoted at 1,339.75 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 4.75 won from the previous trading session's close.