Major plazas and boulevards in downtown Seoul were closed off over the weekend as police sought to block the assembly of protestors against the Korea - U . S . Free Trade Agreement . But the organizers of the rallies vowed to continue their protests every evening until the government responds to their demands for the pact to be withdrawn or renegotiated . On Sunday , police placed scores of officers at the Gwanghwamun and Seoul plazas in central Seoul and parked dozens of buses to block people from gathering in the area . The numbers increased throughout the day to prevent illegal protests from taking place . The authorities on Saturday apprehended 10 protesters who clashed with police near Jonggak station . About 5 , 000 riot and regular police officers used tens of buses to block avenues during the rallies that took place between 2 p . m . and 9 : 30 p . m . Leaders of the main opposition Democratic , New Progressive , Democratic Labor and Participation parties marched in Jongno and blasted the ruling Grand National Party ’ s unilateral passage of the FTA . They claim the deal will hurt rather than help the Korean economy . About 10 , 000 people joined the rally . “ People think our protest will not last long . But we will continue our fight until the administration recognizes our voice , ” said Rep . Sohn Hak - kyu , head of the DP . Chung Dong - young , a DP lawmaker , slammed the police for “ excessive suppression ” of the protests . “ A political party has a right to assemble but the police have blocked the legal meeting , ” he said . The Korean Alliance against FTA , which organized a string of protests , said it will continue arranging outdoor rallies every evening . The police said they will ban all unregistered protests and will react sternly to any violence against its officers . By Bae Ji - sook ( baejisook @ heraldm . com )