Rival groups of protesters clashed in front of the National Assembly in Seoul on Wednesday ahead of US President Donald Trump's address to the parliament.

About 8,600 activists from liberal and conservative groups gathered near the Assembly around 10 a.m., one hour before his speech.

This photo captures protesters from liberal and conservative groups staging rallies ahead of U.S. Donald Trump`s arrival at South Korea`s parliament on Nov. 8, 2017, the second day of his two-day state visit here. (Yonhap)
Police bolstered security by dispatching 18,000 officers and setting up artificial walls with police vehicles between the two groups.

Chanting "No war" and "No Trump," anti-Trump protesters denounced him for "destroying peace and discriminating against people by race."

The opposing side picketed with signs that read, "We love Trump," and called for the enhancement of the Korea-US alliance.

Some demonstrators got into a physical altercation and one protester briefly lost consciousness. (Yonhap)