SEOUL, Jan 15: The United States and South Korea launched a fresh round of free trade talks on Monday amid tight security as local farmers and anti-globalisation activists vowed to go ahead with banned protests.

Scuffles erupted when police stopped about 100 farmers and activists from approaching the venue, a hotel in eastern Seoul, which has been guarded by thousands of riot police.

Police said more than 40,000 security personnel have been mobilised nationwide to control possible demonstrations against the five-day meeting on forming a free-trade agreement (FTA).

“Stop FTA negotiations that will ruin our livelihood,” the protestors shouted.

Major disagreements over US anti-dumping and countervailing rules, and non-tariff barriers in South Korea's auto and drug markets, were left off the agenda as both sides tried to agree on less important issues first.—AFP