South Korean shares fall as chip stocks drag on US tariff plan reports

SEOUL, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Round-up of South Korean financial markets:

South Korean shares closed lower on Monday, dragged down by chip stocks following reports that U.S. President Donald Trump would unveil tariffs on semiconductor imports in the coming weeks. The won strengthened, while the benchmark bond yield rose.

The benchmark KOSPI .KS11 closed down 48.38 points, or 1.50%, at 3,177.28.

Among index heavyweights, chipmaker Samsung Electronics 005930.KS fell 2.23%, while peer SK Hynix 000660.KS lost 3.25%. Battery maker LG Energy Solution 373220.KS slid 2.79%.

On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump said he would announce tariffs on imports of steel and semiconductor chips in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, South Korean shipper HMM 011200.KS rose more than 7% after announcing a share buyback plan of up to 2.1 trillion won ($1.5 billion).

Hyundai Motor 005380.KS and sister automaker Kia Corp 000270.KS were down 0.46% and 1.45%, respectively. Steelmaker POSCO Holdings 005490.KS shed 1.95%, while drugmaker Samsung BioLogics 207940.KS fell 0.48%.

Of the total 934 traded issues, 198 shares advanced, while 701 declined.

Foreigners were net sellers of shares worth 540.2 billion won.

The won was quoted at 1,385.0 per dollar on the onshore settlement platform KRW=KFTC, 0.32% stronger than its previous close at 1,389.5.

In offshore trading, the won KRW= was quoted at 1,385.0 per dollar, up 0.3% on the day, while in non-deliverable forward trading, its one-month contract KRW1MNDFOR= was quoted at 1,382.3.

The KOSPI has risen 32.41% so far this year.

The won has strengthened 6.3% against the dollar this year.

In money and debt markets, September futures on three-year treasury bonds KTBc1 lost 0.12 point to 107.36.

The most liquid three-year Korean treasury bond yield KR3YT=RR rose by 2.8 basis points to 2.426%, while the benchmark 10-year yield KR10YT=RR rose by 5.2 basis points to 2.838%.