Tens of thousands of people have demonstrated in South Korea's capital against the government's decision to import US beef.

Police estimated 50,000 people jammed a plaza in front of Seoul's City Hall on Saturday night, holding candles and anti-government signs.

The protesters, including Catholic priests and Buddhist monks, sang songs and chanted slogans.

About 20,000 riot police were deployed around the site, but there were no reports of clashes.

The demonstrators want an April agreement to resume imports of US beef rescinded and renegotiated.

Outrage

The deal has sparked public outrage amid widespread perceptions, fanned in part by sensational media reports, that it exposes the country to a higher risk of mad cow disease.

The government says a full renegotiation of the beef deal would hurt the country's international credibility.

The protesters are also denouncing other policies of Lee Myung-bak, the president, including his plan to privatise state corporations.

Lee, a conservative who took office in late February, apologised to the nation twice over his handling of the beef issue and replaced all his top advisers.

Earlier on Saturday, about 400 conservatives held a rally calling for an end to the anti-government protests.

"Stop illegal, violent candlelight demonstrations!" they shouted.

They accused their opponents of using fear of mad cow disease to undermine the president.