SEOUL, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Under tight security, the Olympic torch relay went through Seoul, the host of the 1988 Summer Olympics, and witnessed warmed welcome by hundreds of thousands local people and Chinese students with red flags.

      More than 10,000 students from around South Korea gathered at the Peace Square of Olympic Park, witnessing the launching ceremony with hundreds of red flags waving in site.

      (South) Korean Olympic Committee president Kim Jung Kil, the first of 80 runners, started the 24-kilometer journey from the Square at about 2 p.m. local time.

      "Each time the Olympic Games will change the city and the country by large. Like what happened in Seoul and South Korea after the 1998 Games, the economy enjoyed a fast development, and the country is well recognized by the world. I think the same willbe for China," said Kim Jung Kil.

      "It's a great opportunity for China to expose itself to the world and let the world better know about China and Beijing in the coming days."

      It's reported that about 8,000 police were dispatched to ensure a smooth relay including those on horseback, bicycle patrols.

      "They will try their best to prevent any kind of intervention," said Gi Hyung Keum, spokesman for the South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

      "I respect people's rights to protest, to have their say. But this is not the venue for various people to express their political interests," said Kim Sang-Woo of the (South) Korean Olympic Committee.

      A dozen of protesters gathered in the opposite side of the Olympic Park, but soon was swallowed up by a large number of torch relay supporters as the relay kicked off.

      Moon Dae Sung, the taekwondo Olympic champion in 2004, was the second runner after Kim among the cheers of fans.

      "It's not the first time for me to be a torchbearer, but it's the first time to be an Olympic torchbearer. Carrying the Olympic flame feels like winning the Olympic gold medal four years ago," said Moon.

      "In 1988, I was only a child of 11 and I can't remember too much now, but I do know I was very excited just like the Chinese feel nowadays."

      Moon is a professor in East Asia University based in Busan after his retirement. He is likely to be selected into the Athletes Committee of IOC during the Beijing Games.

      "I am one of the 30 candidates for the IOC Athletes Committee. There will be four that can be voted into the IOC, but I am confident I will be the lucky one," said Moon.

      "I will try my best which is just part of the Olympic spirit. I am sure Beijing will be the focus of the world during the Games," he added.

      Moon Dae Sung won a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics held in Athens, Greece, in the heavyweight division after knocking out Greece's Alexandros Nikolaidis with a jump spinning hook kick.

      Chang Nara, a singer and actress in South Korea, ran in the 65th place. "The Olympic Games is a sports feast for different races overcoming gap and transferring peace. I wish the Beijing Olympic Games a great success," said Chang Nara.

      "I can see the great efforts made for the Olympic preparation in recent years when I was in Beijing. Beijing is undergoing daily change. It's a great spirit for Chinese worldwide united together for a successful Olympic Games.

      "Liu Xiang in the 110m hurdles and Guo Jingjing in diving are the Chinese athletes I like the most."

      During the relay, three were arrested, according to the police. Two of them attempted to intervene in the relay and one of them nearly wrestled down the torchbearer Chung Dong Soo.

      The celebration ceremony was set at City Hall in central Seoul at 7 p.m.. A lot of spectators waited long before the arrival of the torch.

      Seoul is the capital of South Korea. As a special city, it is administered directly by the national government. With over ten million people, Seoul is South Korea's largest city and one of the most populous cities in the world.

      The city is located on the basin of the Han River in the country's northwest. The border to DPR Korea is about 50 kilometers to the north.

      The Olympic flame will be flown late Sunday to DPR Korea for its 18th leg of global journey.