South Korean shares rise 1% as pharmaceutical stocks jump

SEOUL, May 21 (Reuters) - Round-up of South Korean financial markets:

South Korean shares rose on Wednesday, as pharmaceutical stocks jumped on the government's pledge to support the sector against U.S. tariffs.

The benchmark KOSPI .KS11 was up 25.83 points, or 0.99%, at 2,627.63 as of 0346 GMT.

The pharmaceutical sector .KS32 rose 3.97% and was the biggest gaining sub-index, as drugmaker Samsung Biologics 207940.KS rose 6.23% and peer Celltrion 068270.KS added 0.35%.

South Korea's government pledged more support measures for key export industries, including the biopharmaceutical and auto sectors, which are expected to be hit by U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs.

Among other index heavyweights, chipmaker Samsung Electronics 005930.KS rose 0.36%, while peer SK Hynix 000660.KS lost 0.50%. Battery maker LG Energy Solution 373220.KS slid 0.36%.

Hyundai Motor 005380.KS and sister automaker Kia Corp 000270.KS were down 0.32% and up 0.66%, respectively. Steelmaker POSCO Holdings 005490.KS was flat.

Of the total 935 traded issues, 545 shares advanced, while 318 declined.

Foreigners were net buyers of shares worth 113.7 billion won ($82.05 million).

The won was quoted at 1,386.6 per dollar on the onshore settlement platform KRW=KFTC, 0.56% higher than its previous close at 1,394.4.

In money and debt markets, June futures on three-year treasury bonds KTBc1 lost 0.05 point to 107.52.

The most liquid three-year Korean treasury bond yield KR3YT=RR rose by 1.5 basis points to 2.345%, while the benchmark 10-year yield KR10YT=RR rose by 5.1 basis points to 2.773%.

($1 = 1,385.8000 won)