Seoul shares open higher on hopes for end to Middle East conflict

South Korean stocks opened higher Thursday as US President Donald Trump hinted that an end to the monthlong war in the Middle East could be near. After opening 1.33 percent higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 63.11 points, or 1.15 percent, to 5.541.81 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Trump said in an interview with Reuters on Wednesday that the United States would be out of Iran pretty quickly and could return for spot hits if necessary.