Shares decline 2.6 per cent in South Korea

Seoul - Shares fell Monday on the Seoul stock exchange on fears of a global economic recession.

The benchmark Kospi index shed 44.73 points, or 2.6 per cent, to close at 1,652.71.

Declining issues outnumbered advancers 794 to 89.

The main index of the technology-heavy Kosdaq market plummeted 36.96 points to 409.55, down 8.3 per cent.

On currency markets, the US dollar was quoted at 1,195.80 won, after trading at 1,166 won on Friday.//DPA