South Korean shares weighed down by weak factory activity data - NewsBreak

* Foreigners net sellers * Korean won inches up against U.S. dollar * South Korea benchmark bond yield rises SEOUL, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Round-up of South Korean financial markets: ** South Korean shares struggled for momentum on Wednesday as investors stayed away from making big bets on caution over surging COVID-19 infections and downbeat economic data. The won edged higher and the benchmark bond yield rose. ** The KOSPI slipped 0.94 points, or 0.03%, to 3,198.33 by 0203 GMT, following a sharp 1.75% gain on Tuesday. ** Among heavyweights, chip giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix fell 0.26% and 0.47%, respectively, while internet giant Naver gained 0.57%. ** The country reported 2,025 new coronavirus cases for Tuesday, much more than 1,372 reported a day earlier. ** U.S. consumer confidence fell to a six-month low in August, data released on Tuesday showed, as soaring COVID-19 infections and rising inflation dampened the economic outlook. ** South Korea's factory activity grew at a