South Koreans oppose beef imports from US

http://www.cctv.com/video/NewsHour/2008/05/NewsHour_300_20080507_6.shtml http://www.cctv.com/english/20080507/105091.shtml South Koreans oppose beef imports from US WATCH VIDEO Source: CCTV.com | 05-07-2008 14:41 Thousands of South Koreans joined a candlelit vigil in Seoul to oppose their government's decision to resume US beef imports. The protesters are accusing President Lee Myung-bak of risking South Koreans' health by allowing American beef in despite fears of mad cow disease. South Korean opposition politicians and activists are urging the government to heed public concerns about the safety of US beef. They are calling for a re-negotiation of a deal Seoul signed with Washington last month to resume US beef imports. Lee Sang-yu, Gen-Director of Liberal Democratic Labor Party, said, "We'll run the risk of importing mad cow disease. It's obvious that the people are concerned, and that they had to get together for the massive candlelight vigil because they feel their health and security are in serious danger." But a senior agriculture ministry official rejected the mounting calls for the government to scrap the agreement. Other officials and medical experts later said US beef is safe to eat. Last month, South Korea agreed to reopen its market for US beef, scrapping nearly all previously-insisted quarantine regulations to guard against mad cow disease. The deal, which came just hours before President Lee Myung-bak held his first summit with US President George W. Bush, is widely seen as a concession aimed at getting the US to approve a broader trade deal. Imports of US beef are expected to resume in mid-May and expand in stages.