Seoul stocks open higher on OPEC oil price outlook

SEOUL, March 24 (Reuters) - Seoul stocks opened slightly higher on Monday, led by transportation and manufacturing shares, after OPEC's president said he expected steady oil prices for the rest of 2008, easing concerns about higher energy costs.

Air carriers such as Korean Air Line (003490.KS: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) rose 0.52 percent to 58,500 won. Manufacturers such as LG Display (034220.KS: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) also gained 0.33 percent to 45,800 won on hopes that softer energy prices will boost consumer demand.

The Korea Composite Stock Price Index advanced 0.11 percent to 1,647.49 points as of 0009 GMT.

(Reporting by Park Jung-youn; Editing by Marie-France Han)