Thousands in South Korea beef protest

by amyjudd | July 5, 2008 at 09:05 am | 520 views | 6 comments

Around 35,000 people took part today in the latest mass protest in South Korea against their government's decision to allow US beef imports to continue.

Waving banners, flags and candles, the crowd gathered in front of City Hall in the capital, Seoul.

South Korea used to be a big market for US beef, but suspended imports in 2003 after a "mad cow disease" outbreak.

The decision to lift the ban has led to weeks of protests based on health fears and discontent with the government.

As a result, the South Korean government has sought extra safety assurances from the US authorities on American beef.

Both governments insist the beef is safe.

Political pressure

Among those taking part in Saturday's protest were Catholic priests, Buddhist monks and labour groups.

Some 20,000 riot police were deployed but there were no immediate reports of clashes.

Protesters chanted slogans urging the resignation of South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, who took office in February and has seen his popularity plummet amid widespread protests.

Some reports are saying that more people took part:

It seems that time is not a healing balm for South Koreans where US beef is concerned. The latest rally drew 50,000 people, in yet another sign that South Korea’s current leadership may be toppled over this issue. None of this would be happening without the American beef industry’s massive influence on U.S. trade policy, and it’s yet another example of the industry screwing up the world while not being held accountable by the media.

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amyjudd

at 09:14 on July 5th, 2008

news wanted:

I think this is an important story and would benefit from other NowPublic contributors working on it. I've flagged it as News Wanted and invite others in relevant locations to look for more evidence.

azzayindia

at 10:01 on July 5th, 2008

good stuff:

amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff.

JD Rucker

at 17:54 on July 5th, 2008

good stuff:

amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff.

baiadha

at 00:01 on July 6th, 2008

good stuff:

amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff.

cipgshop

at 07:17 on July 7th, 2008

Korea news i know .thanks .

mchawk

at 14:35 on July 8th, 2008

good stuff:

amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff. And, as you're looking for more sources...

It would seem that the head-count varies wildly, depending on which news-service you ask. At the risk of overly editorializing (and ticking people off), I get the feeling that CNN is under-estimating and vegan.com is over-estimating - both for well-meaning but quite obvious political reasons.

About 15,000 people -- some wielding steel pipes and hurling stones at police -- staged a street demonstration in Seoul on Saturday night, demanding the government withdraw its decision to lift a ban on U.S. beef imports.

The rally turned violent after some protesters used ropes to try to drag away police buses used as barricades to prevent them from marching into the presidential Blue House.

Riot police immediately fired water cannons and sprayed fire extinguishers to repel them.

Activists have staged daily rallies on the streets of the capital to voice fears about the possible health risks of U.S. beef, such as mad cow disease. As officials began inspecting U.S. beef on Friday before it can reach markets, hundreds of labor activists blocked customs storage facilities.

Earlier rallies opposing the beef import deal drew 80,000 people at their peak, but have since dwindled. South Korean President Lee Myung-bak has said he would not tolerate illegal, violent protests against the U.S. beef imports any longer.