Seoul: South Korean stocks got off to a strong start Monday, led by gains from large-cap shares. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 36.08 points, or 1.49 percent, to 2,452.94 in the first 15 minutes of trading. According to Yonhap News Agency, market bellwether Samsung Electronics soared 5.79 percent, showcasing a robust performance in the technology sector. Leading battery maker LG Energy Solution also posted a notable increase of 2.43 percent, reflecting positive investor sentiment in the energy storage market. Top automaker Hyundai Motor saw a rise of 3.4 percent, while its sister affiliate Kia jumped 2.84 percent, indicating strength in the automotive sector. Energy shares emerged as the biggest winners, with KEPCO climbing 3.98 percent and Korea Gas Corp. advancing 1.73 percent, highlighting the growing demand in the energy sector. The local currency was trading at 1,394.95 won against the greenback as of 9:15 a.m., up 3.85 won from the previous session, signaling a slight strengthe ning of the won in early currency trading.