Round-up of South Korean financial markets:

 

** South Korean shares ended more than 1% lower on Tuesday, amid increased worries about forced sell-offs of leveraged stocks.

** The Korean won ended higher on authorities' intervention, while the benchmark bond yield rose.

** The benchmark KOSPI closed down 34.48 points, or 1.37%, at 2,489.02, extending its losing streak to a fourth session and marking the lowest closing level since April 6.

** South Korea's economy barely averted a recession, posting slim growth in the first quarter, but the outlook remained clouded.

** "Market volatility increased due more to an internal factor of supply and demand issues than external ones," said analyst Lee Kyoung-min at Daishin Securities.

** "There were worries about forced-selling of leveraged holdings, which sharply increased this year, amid growing downward pressure on stock prices."

** Some sectors in the market have recently been overheated with a surge in leveraged trading, the country's financial regulator warned on Tuesday.

** Most index heavyweights, including chipmakers, battery makers, and online platform service providers, fell by nearly 2% or more.

** Seoul Citi Gas Co Ltd, Daesung Holdings Co Ltd, Samchully Co Ltd and Sebang Co Ltd fell by nearly 30% each to their daily lower limits for a second session.

** Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor Co jumped 4.74% after the automaker said it had finalised a $5 billion electric vehicle battery joint venture in the United States, and reported that its first-quarter net profit had more than doubled. Sister automaker Kia Corp rose 2.24%.

** Of the total 932 issues traded, 248 shares rose.

** Foreigners were net buyers of shares worth 6.9 billion won ($5.2 million).

** The won ended onshore trade 0.20% higher at 1,332.2 per dollar, after falling 0.18% earlier.

** South Korean foreign exchange authorities were suspected of selling U.S. dollars to support the local currency, multiple dealers said soon after a senior official warned against increased volatility.

** The most liquid three-year Korean treasury bond yield rose by 3.3 basis points to 3.263%, while the benchmark 10-year yield rose by 1.6 basis points to 3.322%. ($1 = 1,333.3600 won) (Reporting by Jihoon Lee; Editing by Varun H K)