Seoul  - Shares ended sharply down Monday on the Seoul stock exchange amid mounting concerns over efforts to rescue the US auto industry. South Korea's currency tumbled against the dollar.

The benchmark Kospi index fell 40.05 points, or 3.2 per cent, to close at 1,197.46

Declining issues outnumbered advancers 687 to 178.

The main index of the technology-heavy Kosdaq market slid 9.23 points to 412.01.

On currency markets, the US dollar was quoted at 1,391.50 Korean won after Friday's close of 1,348 won. (dpa)