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Round-up of South Korean financial markets:
** South Korean shares dropped on Wednesday and posted their worst day in more than two months as investors booked profits amid fading market optimism of early U.S. rate cuts.
** The won weakened, while the benchmark bond yield rose.
** The benchmark KOSPI closed down 62.50 points, or 2.34%, at 2,607.31.
** The fall was the biggest since Oct. 26 and ended a four-day rally.
** "Profit-taking sentiment intensified, especially towards technology stocks, as excessive hopes for rate cuts in the United States were cut back," said Lee Kyoung-min, an analyst at Daishin Securities.
** South Korea's central bank governor said on Wednesday that the monetary board will adopt a mix of policies in finishing the "last mile" fight against inflation.
** Chipmaker Samsung Electronics fell 3.27%, peer SK Hynix lost 3.93% and battery maker LG Energy Solution slid 3.14%.
** Among other index heavyweights, automakers fell more than 3%, while online platform companies declined over 2%.
** LG Innotek, which supplies camera parts to Apple, fell 5.61%, after the smartphone maker fell due to a rating downgrade.
** Taeyoung Engineering & Construction surged 23.85%. The troubled builder held a meeting on Wednesday with creditors for debt restructuring, according to local media.
** Of the total 939 traded issues, 281 shares advanced, while 612 declined.
** Foreigners were net sellers of shares worth 93.4 billion won ($71.55 million) on the main board.
** The won ended onshore trade at 1,304.8 per dollar, 0.34% lower than its previous close at 1,300.4.
** In money and debt markets, March futures on three-year treasury bonds fell 0.12 point to 104.91.
** The most liquid three-year Korean treasury bond yield rose by 3.7 basis points to 3.275%, while the benchmark 10-year yield rose by 1.6 basis points to 3.323%. ($1 = 1,305.3600 won) (Reporting by Jihoon Lee; Editing by Sonia Cheema)