South Korea´s president vows not to allow imports of US beef from older cattle

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Source: CCTV.com | 06-16-2008 08:48

South Korea's president vows not to allow meat from older cattle into the country. Lee Myung-bak is hoping to quell public anger at the government's decision to resume beef imports from the US.

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak speaks  during a meeting with chief executives of  small and medium enterprises at the  presidential Blue House in Seoul June 11,  2008.(REUTERS)

The President says beef from cattle older than 30 months will not be brought into South Korea. Cows older than 30 months are believed to be more susceptible to mad cow disease. Lee says he has received a positive reply from the US on measures under which its beef industry would voluntarily not ship meat from older cattle.

People make a South Korean national flag using candles  during a candle-light rally to demand the full-scale  renegotiation of a beef deal with the U.S. and the  resignation of President Lee Myung-bak in Seoul June 15,  2008.(Jo Yong-Hak/Reuters)

Tens of thousands of people have protested in Seoul in recent weeks, demanding the beef import deal be renegotiated and urging the president to resign.

Editor:Du Xiaodan