Seoul - Shares nosedived Thursday on the Seoul stock exchange as worries over a global recession persist. South Korea's won continued to fall against the dollar.

The benchmark Kospi index plunged 35.42 points, or 3.2 per cent, to close at 1,088.44.

Declining issues outnumbered advancers 697 to 145.

The main index of the technology-heavy Kosdaq market declined 11.69 points to 311.55.

On currency markets, the dollar was quoted at 1,391.50 Korean won, after 1,359.50 won Wednesday. (dpa)