developing countries in a skit as activists launched protests against the WTO meeting in Hong Kong Tuesday.

The protests are being closely watched because demonstrations at past World Trade Organization meetings have turned violent and skeptics worry that Hong Kong police, accustomed to peaceful rallies, are ill-equipped to handle more physical disruptions. Hours before the formal opening of the WTO summit Tuesday, at least 1,000 people - mostly South Korean farmers - gathered at a downtown park, chanting slogans and beating drums and gongs.

The farmers, also hailing from Japan, India, the Philippines and Brazil, held banners that said "drastic market opening kills farmers" and "World Threatening Organization."

The Korean farmers displayed a coffin decorated with pink, yellow and white paper that said "RIP WTO."

Many farm workers fear they won't be able to compete with imports if their countries fully open up their domestic markets to international competition.