SOUTH KOREA: South Korean protesters clash with police at rallies against U.S. beef imports

Record ID: 212616

  • Title: SOUTH KOREA: South Korean protesters clash with police at rallies against U.S. beef imports
  • Date: 26th May 2008
  • Summary: (W3) SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (FILE) (REUTERS) PEOPLE BUYING BEEF IN SUPERMARKET BEEF PEOPLE EATING BEEF DISHES
  • Embargoed: 10th June 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Industry
  • Reuters ID: LVAE2OI0F2WTLR9PRYFIXWDTH5S
  • Story Text: South Korean police detain protesters as candlelight vigils turn into illegal rallies demanding officials renegotiate its beef deal with Washington.
    South Korean police detained about 30 protesters on early Monday (May 26) as candlelight vigils turned into illegal rallies demanding the South Korean government renegotiate its beef deal with Washington.
    Thousands of protesters occupied the streets of downtown Seoul and marched in.
    Some scuffled with police trying to block their move toward the presidential office.
    It was the first violent clash since the candlelight-vigils against U.S. beef imports started on May 2.
    Clashes occurred when police came to disperse the protesters. Police said they arrested 31 people.

    "We've been holding candle-light vigils, but Lee Myung-bak's government keeps its stance against the people's demand. We're expressing our anger," said one of the protesters.
    The conservative former CEO, who won the presidency by the biggest margin in the country's history, has seen his public support dragged down by the issue and now stands at just over 20 percent after almost three months in office.
    Kang Ki-gab, a member of Democratic Labour Party, which is against President Lee Myung-bak, held a campaign of bowing to denounce the beef deal with Washington.

    "The government is not aware of public sentiment. I urge Lee Myung-bak's government should stand for the people and fight for the people against the pressure from the US," said Kang.
    South Korea's special investigating team returned to Seoul on Monday after its inspection of U.S. meat-packing plants.

    "We could complete our task in time with the help from the US. And we will have an opportunity to explain the overall results of the investigation," said Sohn Chan-hoon, head of the investigation team from National Veterinary Research Quarantine Service.
    The government is expected to announce the implementation of new U.S.
    beef import rules later this week.
    South Korea agreed last month to resume full beef U.S. imports which were banned some five years ago because of mad cow disease.
    The moved had wider ramifications, with U.S. legislators making clear they would not back a sweeping bilateral free trade deal unless Seoul separately opened up to beef.
    South Korea used to be the third-largest U.S. beef export market before the mad cow outbreak in 2003, importing around 199,000 tonnes worth $850 million a year.
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