* KOSPI falls, foreigners net buyers

* Korean won weakens against dollar

* South Korea benchmark bond yield falls

SEOUL, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Round-up of South Korean financial markets:

** South Korean shares were subdued on Tuesday as traders maintained a cautious stance and refrained from big bets amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and ahead of major economic data releases in the United States.

** The benchmark KOSPI held its ground at 2,616.48, as of 0135 GMT.

** The United States has prepared for what could be significant attacks by Iran or its proxies in the Middle East as soon as this week, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said on Monday.

** Investor focus is on U.S. inflation and retail sales data due later in the week, after recent market routs on recession fears.

** Among index heavyweights, chipmaker Samsung Electronics rose 0.79% and peer SK Hynix gained 1.98%, but most other index heavyweights such as automakers, battery manufacturers, e-commerce firms and biopharmaceutical stocks dropped.

** Of the total 931 traded issues, 226 shares advanced, while 650 declined.

** Foreigners were net buyers of shares worth 76.4 billion won ($55.74 million).

** The won was quoted at 1,371.3 per dollar on the onshore settlement platform, 0.12% lower than its previous close at 1,369.6.

** In money and debt markets, September futures on three-year treasury bonds rose 0.06 point to 105.96.

** The most liquid three-year Korean treasury bond yield fell 1.4 basis points to 2.932%, while the benchmark 10-year yield dipped 1.2 basis points to 2.984%.

($1 = 1,370.7300 won) (Reporting by Jihoon Lee; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)