S. Koreans rally against US beef

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Source: CCTV.com | 06-01-2008 15:09

Tens of thousands of South Koreans have rallied against a government decision to import US beef. The protest was the largest demonstration in a month of almost daily protests.

Tens of thousands of South Koreans have rallied against a government decision to import US beef.(Photo: CCTV.com)

Earlier on Saturday, a crowd estimated at 38-thousand people filled a plaza in front of city hall, as police deployed about 11-thousand personnel to protest sites in the capital to guard against possible violence.

Some protesters later headed to the presidential Blue House, and clashed with police.

Rallies in recent days have ended with protesters marching through downtown streets, where some scuffles with police have resulted.

Anger has intensified since Thursday. That's when the government announced it would implement the April 18 agreement with Washington, and resume beef imports within days, despite widespread public opposition.

South Korea agreed in April to reopen what was formerly the third-largest overseas market for US beef.

It had been shut down for most of the past four-and-a-half years following the first US case of mad cow disease in 2003.

That deal sparked fears of mad cow disease and triggered protests calling for scrapping or renegotiating the agreement.

Protesters claim President Lee Myung-bak was too quick to concede to US demands for access to South Korea's market. They say he was aiming to win favor with Washington, and garner support in Congress for ratification of a separate free trade agreement.

Editor:Liu Fang