South Korea

President puts limit on US beef imports

Article published on the 2008-06-03 Latest update 2008-06-03 11:10 TU

US President George Bush and his counterpart Lee Myung-bak at Camp David
(Photo : Reuters)

South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak has announced his country will seek to ban imports of US beef from cattle aged 30 months and older. The move comes amid a public backlash against his government over fears that consumers could be exposed to mad cow disease. So far more than 200 people have been arrested and dozens injured when police clashed with demonstrators in Seoul.

The beef issue has become a major challenge to new President Lee Myung-bak, as his approval ratings have plummeted to just over 20 percent. 

A spokesman for the president said he told a weekly cabinet meeting that "it is natural not to bring in meat from cattle 30 months of age and older, as long as the people do not want it."

South Korea used to be a major market for US beef, but it banned most imports in 2003 after an outbreak of mad cow disease, or BSE.

Lee's government agreed to relax most of the restrictions in April, under pressure from the United States which said it would not back a bilateral trade deal without concessions on beef.

The move sparked public anger, with almost daily rallies since the agreement was announced, which intensified over the weekend.

Protesters claimed that US beef is not safe and said Lee is ignoring their concerns.

The timing of the deal, just hours before a summit between Lee and US President George Bush at his Camp David retreat, further fuelled anger.