Seoul  - Shares nosedived Monday on the Seoul stock exchange on worries over company earnings. New rumors over the health of the leader of communist North Korea, Kim Jong Il, also weighed down on market sentiment, analysts said. South Korea's won slid against the dollar.

The benchmark Kospi index fell 50.50 points, or 3.5 per cent, to close at 1,378.12. Declining issues outnumbered advancers 715 to 110.

The main index of the technology-heavy Kosdaq market plunged 19.22 points to 476.05.

On currency markets, the US dollar was quoted at 1,315 Korean won, after 1,282.70 won on Friday. (dpa)