South Korean stocks began higher Monday. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 0. 44 percent, or 8.53 points, to 1,941.43 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The local currency was trading at 1,083.4 won to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., down 0.5 won from Friday's close.