An elderly South Korean man set himself on fire at a protest in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul.

Hundreds of people had gathered for the demonstration to demand an official apology and compensation from Japan for forcing thousands of Korean and other women to work in Japanese military brothels during World War Two.

They were watching a performance on stage when flames were seen shooting up from an area behind some banners near the stage.

Spectators grabbed a large blanket and were seen desperately trying to smother the flames. A few people tried using bottles of waters to help put out the fire.

Police quickly surrounded the area.

Emergency workers tended to the person on the scene and then took him to a hospital.

The program then continued on the stage.

The rally comes days before the August 15th anniversary marking 70 years since the end of Japan's colonial occupation of the Korean peninsula.

 

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