0716 GMT - Korea Electric Power could post weaker 3Q earnings due to higher fuel-purchase costs, says Kiwoom Securities' Cho Jae-won. The South Korean state utility is forecast to spend 6.354 trillion won on oil, coal and gas to fuel its power plants in the July-September period, up 29% on quarter and 16% on year, the analyst writes in a note. The company is also likely to face higher 3Q system margin prices, at which it purchases power from private electricity companies, Cho notes. The SMP rose to 133 won per kilowatt-hour in July and 150 won per KWh in August, from 118 won per KWh in 2Q.