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Scuffles mark start of Seoul torch relay
The Olympic torch is being carried through Seoul amid scuffles between rival groups.
- Agencies
- Published: 08:48 April 27, 2008
- Police planned to dispatch some 8,000 riot police to guard the flame as it made a stop in South Korea.
- Image Credit: AP
Seoul: The Olympic torch is being carried through Seoul amid scuffles between rival groups.
One protester rushed at the torch shortly after the run began from Seoul's Olympic Park and attempted to unfurl a banner calling for better treatment of North Koreans in China. He was quickly whisked away by the dozens of police surrounding the flame before getting close.
Some 8,000 officers were deployed across the city to guard the torch on its 24-kilometre run to City Hall.
Hundreds of Chinese kept close to the torch carrying a large red national flag, chanting ''Go China, Go Olympics!''
Minor scuffles broke out between a group of several hundred Chinese students and about 50 anti-Beijing demonstrators, with the students throwing some rocks and water bottles at the others as police tried to keep the groups apart.
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