South Korean stocks got off to a weak start on Monday due to losses in major exporters, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) slipped 2.87 points, or 0.14 percent, to 1,978.31 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Automakers were trading in negative territory, with Hyundai Motor falling 1.17 percent and Kia Motors losing 0.56 percent.

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics lost 0.33 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,080.65 won to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., down 2.35 won from Friday's close. (Yonhap News)