Seoul  - Shares plummeted Tuesday on the Seoul stock exchange on persistent fears over the global economic downturn.

Exporters took the brunt of the fall, and South Korea's currency tumbled against the dollar.

The benchmark Kospi index fell 48.28 points, or 4.1 per cent, to close at 1,127.19

Declining issues outnumbered advancers 750 to 98.

The main index of the technology-heavy Kosdaq market slid 19.70 points to 383.17.

On currency markets, the US dollar was quoted at 1,455.50 won after Monday's close of 1,427.50 won. (dpa)