Seoul - Shares tumbled 3.4 per cent Monday on the Seoul stock exchange as fears of a global recession deepened. South Korea's won fell to a new 10-year-low against the dollar.

The benchmark Kospi index plunged 33.59 to close at 970.14. Declining issues outnumbered advancers 594 to 230.

The main index of the technology-heavy Kosdaq market declined 5.62 points to 284.50.

On currency markets, the US dollar was quoted at 1,513.0 Korean won, down 18.0 won from Friday's close of 1,495.0 won. (dpa)