SEOUL - South Korean police on Sunday detained 16 demonstrators for illegally occupying streets during a rally against US beef imports, officials said.

The detainees were among 1,600 protesters who took to the streets from Saturday evening through early Sunday, Seoul police said.

Demonstrators marched in rain before being blocked by riot police on their way to key downtown areas, with some protesters cracking fireworks and police using water cannon, the police said.

No major violence erupted as shown in demonstrations before.

"Sixteen people have been put in police custody for questioning over the charges of illegally occupying the streets," a Seoul police spokesman said.Starting early May, tens of thousands demonstrated against the proposed resumption of US beef imports which sparked fears of mad cow disease.

The mass protests have largely ended since the government secured extra health safeguards from Washington, and US beef is currently on sale.

The demonstrations have often turned violent, as prosecutors say more than 370 police officers were injured and more than 100 police buses burnt out while the protest organisers also claim hundreds of demonstrators were wounded.

Most South Korean police and protesters showed restraint during weeks of rallies against US beef imports but some officers used excessive force, Amnesty International's Korea section said Friday.

In some instances, police used water cannon and fire extinguishers, and engaged in arbitrary arrests of protesters and onlookers, the group said. - AFP/vm