Protests Disrupt Olympic Torch Relay in Seoul

The Olympic torch relay for the Beijing Summer Olympics runs through Seoul yesterday, encountering protests along the way. Korea Olympic Committee President Kim Jung-kil started the Seoul leg as the first runner among 80. The relay stopped at Seoul City Hall after traveling 24 kilometers on route to its continuing overnight journey to North Korea. Riot police had to separate Chinese students in Korea from organizations advocating North Korean human rights and defectors to prevent violent clashes.

jean@donga.com