Thousands of South Koreans took to the streets Sunday to protest a proposed free-trade agreement with the United States.
In one of two separate rallies in Seoul, around 1,300 protestors rallied against the free-trade talks and Washington's policy towards the North Korea.
Carrying banners reading "No Sanctions, Do Dialogue", the protestors claimed that sanctions on North Korea, driven by the United States, were hampering a peaceful resolution to the North Korean nuclear problem.
Han Sang-ryul, President of Unification Coalition, criticised American policy in the region.
 "The hostile policy of the US towards North Korea, the expansion of the US army base in Pyeontaek, and the free trade agreement between South Korea and the US are related to American imperialism."
Washington and Seoul have held three rounds of trade talks since June aimed at forging an accord to lower tariffs and open markets that would be the biggest for Washington since the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1993.
The two sides have set a goal of reaching a basic agreement by the end of this year to submit to their respective legislatures.
The first three rounds made slow progress, hung up on issues such as market access and South Korean goods made in North Korea.
On Sunday, another rally also took place in the city of Pyeontaek, home to a South Korean naval base and a large concentration of United States troops. Local farmers have waged four years of resistance against the US military base expansion in Pyeontaek to protect their land, community and way of life.
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Director: Liu Chi