Seoul stocks opened sharply higher Friday, following gains on Wall Street as falling oil prices and easing pressure in the U.S. bond market reduced inflation concerns. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 150.53 points, or 2.24%, to 6,865.94 at 9:15 a.m. Overnight, the S&P 500 gained 1.14% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq rose 1.69% as investor sentiment improved. The move came as the Federal Reserve's rate hike and lower oil prices eased inflation worries.