S Korean police arrest 155 anti-U.S. protesters

Korean policemen detain a protestor at a protest against the U.S. beef import issue and the visiting U.S. President George W. Bush near the Seoul Airport, a military airport in the southern suburb of Seoul, capital of Republic of Korea(ROK), on August 5, 2008. Bush arrived in Seoul on Tuesday to launch his two-day official visit to ROK.(Xinhua Photo)

A Korean protestor holding an anti-U.S. placard shouts slogans during a demonstration against the U.S. beef import issue, war on Iran and the visiting U.S. President George W. Bush near the Seoul Airport, a military airport in the southern suburb of Seoul, capital of Republic of Korea(ROK), on August 5, 2008.(Xinhua Photo)

A Korean protestor holding an anti-U.S. placard shouts slogans during a demonstration against the U.S. beef import issue and the visiting U.S. President George W. Bush near the Seoul Airport, a military airport in the southern suburb of Seoul, capital of Republic of Korea(ROK), on August 5, 2008.(Xinhua/Li Zhengyu)

Korean policemen detain a protestor at a protest against the U.S. beef import issue and the visiting U.S. President George W. Bush near the Seoul Airport, a military airport in the southern suburb of Seoul, capital of Republic of Korea(ROK), on August 5, 2008.(Xinhua/Li Zhengyu)

SEOUL, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- South Korean police arrested 155 people Tuesday night when cracking down massive anti-U.S. protests in central Seoul, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported on Wednesday.

A total of 155 people were arrested overnight for illegally marching on the streets, Yonhap quoted unnamed police officer of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency as saying.

Tuesday's protests were held upon U.S. President George W. Bush' s arrival in Seoul. Police said about 2,700 people participated in the protests, while the organizers said at least 10,000 protesters held a candlelight rally in downtown Seoul.

The protesters, including workers, students and left-wing activists, gathered at the Cheonggye plaza in central Seoul Tuesday evening, chanting "Bush out, Myung-bak out" as well as other slogans against U.S. beef imports.

Violent clashes between the protesters and thousands of riot police took place at about 9 p.m. local time Tuesday (1200 GMT Tuesday) when the riot police trying to crack down the protests by using water guns and arresting their leaders.

U.S. President George W. Bush arrived in Seoul late on Tuesday for a two-day official visit. He is expected to meet with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak Wednesday morning.

Local media said civic activists plan to hold protests in Wednesday against Bush's visit to Seoul and expressed their opposition against the U.S. beef imports to South Korea.

The National Police Agency said it has deployed 7,000 police officers to guard Bush, while 17,000 others were dispatched to deal with the protests.