Seoul shares steady, Samsung Electronics up 0.6pc after record profit

Bank shares led cautious early gains, with Shinhan Financial Group up 1.35 percent while Hana Financial Group rose 2.08 percent.

Samsung Electronics Co shares were up 0.63 percent after the firm announced record profits for the fourth quarter shortly before the markets opened.

The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) was up 0.11 percent at 1,959.36 points as of 0007 GMT.