"No Trump! No China!": Caught in middle, South Korea hosts rival superpowers

South Korea's President Lee is in for a diplomatic dance as he hosts the leaders of US and China.

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A line of police buses stopped them reaching the gates, but a stage and loudspeaker ensured their voices would soar above Gwanghwamun square and within earshot of US President Donald Trump's representatives.

This was a small rally by the standards of South Korea's vibrant protest culture. And it was not the only one under way. A few hundred metres to the north, at the gates of Gyeongbokgung palace, marchers held aloft more banners as they chanted a very different message.

"No China," along with a smattering of "CCP [Chinese Communist Party] out!". Again, the numbers - several hundred people - were not huge for South Korea.

Nevertheless, this footfall through central Seoul on a sunny Saturday is an indication of the diplomatic dance South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung will have to perform this week as he hosts the leaders of both the US and China.