South Korean shares recoup losses in cautious trading ahead of Powell's speech

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KOSPI rises, foreigners net sellers

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Korean won weakens against dollar

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South Korea benchmark bond yield rises

SEOUL, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Round-up of South Korean financial markets:

** South Korean shares rose on Tuesday after a sharp drop in the previous session, with traders awaiting U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's speech later in the day for clues about further interest rate hikes. The Korean won weakened, while the benchmark bond yield rose.

** The benchmark KOSPI rebounded 14.37 points, or 0.62%, to 2,452.56, as of 0159 GMT. It fell 1.7% on Tuesday in its worst session so far this year.

** "The market rebounded from the previous session's fall, which was bigger than in other major markets," said Seo Sang-young, an analyst at Mirae Asset Securities.

** Gains were capped as caution prevailed ahead of Powell's speech, with a possibility of his tone turning hawkish after surprisingly upbeat employment data, Seo added.

** South Korea unveiled details of a long-touted plan to expand its currency spot and swap markets to offshore players as it strives to make its stock and bond markets more attractive to global investors.

** Technology giant Samsung Electronics (SSNLF) rose 1.14%, peer SK Hynix gained 1.80%, and battery maker LG Energy Solution added 2.29%.

** Most index heavyweights rose and led the benchmark stock index higher, but they were among the minority of 347 advancing shares out of 932 traded issues.

** Foreigners were net sellers of shares worth 17.5 billion won ($13.96 million).

** The won was quoted at 1,255.2 per dollar on the onshore settlement platform, 0.19% lower than its previous close at 1,252.8.

** In money and debt markets, March futures on three-year treasury bonds fell 0.07 point to 104.68.

** The most liquid three-year Korean treasury bond yield rose by 3.3 basis points to 3.316%, while the benchmark 10-year yield rose by 2.6 basis points to 3.307%. ($1 = 1,253.6100 won) (Reporting by Jihoon Lee; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)