Thousands again rally in Seoul against US beef import deal

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Source: CCTV.com | 07-04-2008 14:15

Protestors again rallied in Seoul on Thursday night, to voice their opposition to the US beef import deal.

Christian pastors from the Korea National Council of  Churches (KNCC) participate in a service during a protest  to demand a full-scale renegotiation of the U.S. beef  import deal and the resignation of South Korean President  Lee Myung-bak in central Seoul July 3, 2008.  REUTERS/Lee Jae-Won (SOUTH KOREA)

Several thousand South Koreans, including Christians and workers, gathered at the city hall plaza to condemn the government, following the arrests of more than one-hundred people at rallies last weekend.

Earlier in the day, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak called for an end to street protests against his U.S. beef import deal, saying they no longer have public support and it was time to get to work on the economy.

Lee's government has warned that daily street rallies that have turned increasingly violent are scaring foreign investors away.

However, analysts expect tensions to rise this week when meat imports return to stores.