Hundreds of South Korean sex workers, including prostitutes and pimps took to the streets near a red-light district in the capital Seoul to demand from the police to slowdown on their campaign against brothels and the sex trade.

Some of the protesters unsuccessfully tried to set themselves on fire.

The police numbered the protesters at 400, mostly women wearing baseball caps, masks and sunglasses. About 20 protesters, clad in their underwear and covered in body and face paint, doused themselves in what is believed to be gasoline, in an apparent attempt to burn themselves.

But some of their colleagues prevented them from lighting any flames. Some of the prostitutes sat on the streets and wept. Others screamed invectives and were consoled by other protesters.

The protesters were chanting, "Guarantee the right to live!" during the rally which lasted four hours.

There were no reports of major injuries as the protesters engage the police in minor skirmishes.

It is illegal in South Korea to operate brothels and prostitution is banned although operations of such is well-known in the country.

The police have intensified their campaign against prostitutions by deploying police cars near brothels to discourage patrons.