Korea's exports of vehicles to two emerging markets of Latin America and Eastern Europe fell sharply in January.

Auto shipments by South Korea's to emerging markets plunged last month from a year earlier due to the worsening economic slowdown, company spokesmen said Sunday.

Hyundai Motor Co. and its affiliate Kia Motors Corp. exported 7,161 vehicles to Latin America in January, down 71.4 percent from 25,090 units a year ago, according to the two firms.

Their shipments to the Eastern European market dropped 64.2 percent on an annual basis to 6,126 units during the same period.

The sharp fall in exports to the two regions can be attributed to the regions' economies taking a turn for the worse, they said.

Meanwhile, Hyundai and Kia exported 35,898 vehicles produced in South Korea to the North American market last month, down 35.4 percent from a year ago.