Protests in South Korea as Inspections Begin
SOUTH KOREA - South Korea will begin inspections of U.S. beef imports, a day after it lifted a ban on the products, prompting street demonstrations by protesters who say the meat isn't safe to eat.
27 June 2008
1 minute read
According to Bloomberg, South Korean inspectors will examine 5,300 metric tons of frozen U.S. beef today which has been in storage since South Korea imposed the ban in October, Agricultural Ministry spokesman Yun Yung Ku said. The inspection may take two to four days, he said.
About 3,000 protesters held an overnight rally in downtown Seoul, which lasted until 7 a.m. today. The demonstrators attempted to climb over buses blocking the main Sejong Avenue to try to march to President Lee Myung Bak's offices. Riot police used water cannons on the protesters.
Renewing beef exports to South Korea, previously the third- biggest market for American meat, may pave the way for a $29 billion free trade deal. As many as 80,000 people have joined demonstrations against the resumption, undermining Lee's popularity, which has fallen by half since he took office.
TheCattleSite News Desk
