KOSPI falls, foreigners net sellers
Korean won weakens against dollar
South Korea benchmark bond yield falls
For the midday report, please click nL2N3N6028
SEOUL, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Round-up of South Korean financial markets:
** South Korean shares declined for a second consecutive session on Thursday, with automakers and financial firms leading the drop, amid increased political uncertainty as the president faces an impeachment push.
** The benchmark KOSPI .KS11 closed down 23.09 points, or 0.9%, at 2,440.91, extending losses after a 1.4% drop on Wednesday.
** South Korean opposition lawmakers said on Thursday they would vote this weekend to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched attempt to impose martial law, while the defence minister blamed for advising the move resigned.
** Auto and financial stocks have been among the biggest gainers on the government's "Corporate Value-up Programme", one of President's major policy pushes to boost the domestic stock market.
** "The 'Value-up Programme' will inevitably lose momentum," said Seo Sang-young, an analyst at Mirae Asset Securities.
** Global investors have always valued South Korea below other markets for reasons ranging from tensions with the North to the tight structures of its conglomerates - politics this week gave them cause to deepen that discount.
** South Korea's finance ministry said the government would activate 40 trillion won ($28.35 billion) worth of market stabilization funds.
** The Transport Equipment Index .KS42 fell 3.2%, with Hyundai Motor 005380.KS down 2.15% and sister automaker Kia Corp 000270.KS down 4.18%.
** The Finance-major Index .KS49 fell 3.6% while the Securities-minor Index .KS53 shed 2.2%.
** Of the total 937 traded issues, 176 shares advanced, while 728 declined.
** Foreigners were net sellers of shares worth 319.0 billion won ($225.49 million).
** The won was quoted at 1,415.1 per dollar on the onshore settlement platform KRW=KFTC, 0.11% lower than its previous close at 1,413.6.
** The most liquid three-year Korean treasury bond yield KR3YT=RR rose 1.7 basis points to 2.611%, while the benchmark 10-year yield KR10YT=RR fell 1.6 basis points to 2.750%.
($1 = 1,414.6800 won)
(Reporting by Jihoon Lee; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)
((jihoon.lee@thomsonreuters.com;))
