SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea's exports fell at a less steeper pace in August than in the previous month and market expectations, raising some hopes that the key trade engine of the economy is starting to turn a corner though doubts remain over weak demand in China. The August figure was better than the median forecast for an 11.6% decline in a Reuters survey of economists, beating all but one of 22 estimates. The decline in China-bound exports softened to 20% from 25% the previous month, while shipments to the United States rose 2% after four months of decline.