Seoul  - South Korea's exports took a record dive of 32.8 per cent in January as the global economic downturn saw demand in China, Europe, the United States and Japan plunge, the government said Monday.

The export-driven economy recorded the year-on-year fall in its goods sold abroad to 21.7 billion dollars, their third-straight month of decline, the Knowledge Economy Ministry reported.

The fall was nearly double that in December, when exports tumbled 17.9 per cent, and it was the highest ever recorded since the government began compiling the data in
1957.

Imports also fell 32.1 per cent to 24.6 billion dollars, bringing the trade deficit for Asia's fourth-largest economy to nearly 3 billion dollars.

The substantial fall in exports indicated South Korea is headed for a deep recession after it recorded a 5.6-per-cent contraction in its gross domestic product in 2008's fourth quarter - its biggest drop since the Asian financial crisis a decade ago.

The ministry said only the shipbuilding industry saw an increase in exports in January, but all other exports fell, including cars, computer chips and petrochemical products.

Exports to China, South Korea's largest trading partner, fell 32.2 per cent in the first 20 days of January, the ministry said.

Exports to the United States were down 21.5 per cent, to Europe down 46.9 per cent and to Japan 29.3 per cent, it said. (dpa)