South Korea shares slip on uncertainty over Iran war truce talks

SEOUL, March 26 (Reuters) - Round-up of South Korean financial markets:

South Korean shares fell on Thursday as conflicting headlines from the U.S. and Iran kept investors jittery over the outlook of the conflict in the Gulf region. The won weakened, while the benchmark bond yield rose. The benchmark KOSPI .KS11 was down 82.87 points, or 1.47%, at 5,559.34, as of 0122 GMT. Among index heavyweights, chipmaker Samsung Electronics 005930.KS fell 3.07%, while peer SK Hynix 000660.KS lost 3.62%. Battery maker LG Energy Solution 373220.KS slid 1.90%. Shares of Hyundai Motor 005380.KS and sister automaker Kia Corp 000270.KS were down 1.20% and 0.82%, respectively.

Steelmaker POSCO Holdings 005490.KS added 1.61%, while drugmaker Samsung BioLogics 207940.KS rose 0.76%.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Washington was making progress in its efforts to negotiate an end to war with Iran, including winning an important concession from Tehran, while Tehran denied that direct talks have taken place.

Hyundai Motor said on Thursday it is targeting annual vehicle sales of 500,000 units in China in the mid-term, and plans to launch 36 additional models in the North American market by 2030. Of the total 924 traded issues, 323 shares advanced, while 554 declined. Foreigners were net sellers of shares worth 1,097.4 billion won. The won was quoted at 1,506.9 per dollar on the onshore settlement platform KRW=KFTC, 0.35% lower than its previous close at 1,501.7. The KOSPI has risen 31.92% so far this year. The won has weakened 4.5% against the dollar so far this year. In money and debt markets, June futures on three-year treasury bonds KTBc1 lost 0.06 point to 103.44. The most liquid three-year Korean treasury bond yield KR3YT=RR rose 2.1 basis points to 3.577%, while the benchmark 10-year yield KR10YT=RR rose 2.3 basis points to 3.884%.