Seoul shares tumble 5.8 pct, hit 26 month low

SEOUL, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Seoul's main share index tumbled 5.8 percent to close at a more than 26 month low on Wednesday, with declines led by banks and refineries as worries about the credit crisis and economic recession deepened.

Shinhan Financial Group (055550.KS) fell 8.25 percent to close at a 52 week low, and SK Energy (096770.KS) lost 12.71 percent, also ending trade at a 52 week low.

The Korea Composite Stock Price Index closed down 5.81 percent at 1,286.69 points, the lowest close since 1,279.08 on July 26, 2006.

(Reporting by Park Jung-youn; Editing by Keiron Henderson)