Thousands of protesters denounced a proposed free trade agreement between South Korea and the United States in Seoul yesterday, just days ahead of a deadline for negotiators to strike a deal.

South Korean and US officials have until the end of this week to reach an agreement. Planned high-level negotiations in Seoul from today are aimed at closing gaps in automobiles, agriculture and other contentious issues that have defied resolution over almost 10 months of talks.

Labor, farm and student groups carrying flags and banners with slogans opposing the agreement, gathered at the plaza in front of Seoul City Hall for the demonstration, sponsored by the opposition Democratic Labor Party.

"Stop the South Korea-US FTA," the crowd chanted.

The crowd at mid-afternoon numbered about 6,000, said National Police Agency officer Kim Min-sup, who added it was expected to increase to 10,000.

The demonstration was peaceful, though some previous protests have resulted in clashes between demonstrators and riot police.

South Korea and the US have been trying since June to strike a deal that officials say would boost economic ties between two countries that already do more than 75 billion U.S. dollars in trade.

Protests in South Korea have dogged the negotiations since they began. Opponents fear an influx of cheaper US goods will harm livelihoods and cost jobs.

The two governments need to wrap up an agreement by Saturday because of the approaching end of US President George W. Bush's Trade Promotion Authority, which allows him to send trade agreements to Congress for straight yes-or-no votes without amendments.

Even if a deal is struck this week, votes to ratify it are not expected for months. South Korean lawmakers would also need to approve any final deal.