Anti- torch protesters were seriously outnumbered by the Chinese supporters as the Olympic flame began its two- day journey on the divided Korean peninsula on Sunday, guarded by thousands of violent policemen armed with shields and truncheons.

Thousands of Chinese students, waving their country's flag shouted, "Come on China," "No politics, only Olympics" at the start of the torch relay in Seoul and violently clashed with anti- Beijing demonstrators, throwing rocks and punches at them.

The red sea of Chinese supporters took to the streets in order to keep the torch safe, despite the activists’ efforts to halt it, including a North Korean defector who tried to set himself on fire.

After protests and chaotic routes of the Olympic flame in many big cities of the world, such as Paris, London and San Francisco, it was now time for Seoul to shout its disappointment in the Chinese government, especially regarding its treatment of North Korean refugees, besides China’s human rights record in Tibet.

Many North Koreans have crossed the loosely controlled Chinese border trying to hide in China, but they face the threat to be deported by the Chinese authorities and o be imprisoned in life-threatening conditions back in the North, if caught.

The activists have disrupted the global torch relay several times as the biggest issue has been criticism of China's recent crackdown in Tibet after deadly riots there and in surrounding areas.

The torch relay in South Korea started at a park that was used for the 1988 Seoul Olympics and the torch keepers ran a 22-km (14-mile) route that was kept a secret until the last minute.

Five people were arrested during the relay, the police said.