South Korean stocks started lower Friday. The main Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) edged down 0. 61 points, or 0.03 percent, to 1998.89 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The local currency was trading at 1,074.95 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., down 0.25 won from Thursday's close.