Korean stocks opened higher Thursday on Wall Street's overnight rally fueled by expectations that the United States and the European Union may push forward economic stimulus programs, analysts said.

The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) jumped 2.40 percent, or 43.32 points, to 1,845.17 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The market was closed Wednesday for Memorial Day.

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics shot up 2.83 percent, with top automaker Hyundai Motor also gaining 2.41 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,169.55 won to the greenback as of 9:15 a.m., up 10.55 won from Tuesday's close. (Yonhap)