Korean stocks started 3.09 percent higher Thursday after the previous session's daily record drop of over 12 percent on fears over a prolonged Iran crisis, while Wall Street rebounded and oil prices calmed. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) opened at 5,250.92, up 157.38 points from the previous session. The index plunged 12.06 percent to close at 5,094.54 on Wednesday, marking the sharpest daily decline in history.