Holding candles and waving placards, thousands gathered in downtown Seoul to protest South Korea's plans to sign a free trade deal with the U.S. Some worry the deal will allow American carmakers to make major inroads into the South Korean market even as it opens up more of the U.S. to local car makers.<br/> SOUNDBITE:Kim Dong-kyu, opponent of the South Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement saying:<br/> "We're opposing the free trade agreement because it gives up national interest, sovereignty and the people. Ninety-nine percent of people are demanding the government to stop the ratification of the deal, listen to people and be judged by public opinion."<br/> Signed by President Obama last month, its approval has been stalled in the South Korean parliament. despite the ruling party's push to finalize the deal.<br/> Some studies say the deal could boost the $67 billion dollar trade relationship by as much as 25 percent. U.S. farmers are expected to be big winners under the agreement, with more than $1.8 billion a year in increased exports to South Korea.<br/> Deborah Gembara, Reuters
