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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Protests in S Korea over US beef | Protests in S Korea over US beef |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| At least 29 protesters have been arrested in South Korea after a rally against a US beef import deal ended in clashes. | At least 29 protesters have been arrested in South Korea after a rally against a US beef import deal ended in clashes. |
| The scuffles broke out when police moved to break up the 3,000-strong demonstration in the capital, Seoul. | The scuffles broke out when police moved to break up the 3,000-strong demonstration in the capital, Seoul. |
| The protesters say that the recent relaxation of a ban on US beef imports fails to protect the country from BSE, or mad cow disease. | The protesters say that the recent relaxation of a ban on US beef imports fails to protect the country from BSE, or mad cow disease. |
| Support for President Lee Myung-bak has plummeted amid mounting public concern. | Support for President Lee Myung-bak has plummeted amid mounting public concern. |
| Last week, Mr Lee issued a public apology, saying he had failed to appreciate the depth of public fear. | Last week, Mr Lee issued a public apology, saying he had failed to appreciate the depth of public fear. |
| But he criticised "unfounded rumours" over mad cow disease and ruled out going back on the deal. | But he criticised "unfounded rumours" over mad cow disease and ruled out going back on the deal. |
| 'Expressing our anger' | 'Expressing our anger' |
| South Korea used to be a major market for US beef, but banned most imports in 2003 after an outbreak of mad cow disease there. | South Korea used to be a major market for US beef, but banned most imports in 2003 after an outbreak of mad cow disease there. |
| South Korea suspended most US beef imports after concerns about BSELast month Mr Lee's government agreed to relax most of the restrictions - after US lawmakers made it clear they would not back a bilateral free trade deal without concessions on beef. | |
| The move triggered public anger. Vigils and rallies have taken place on an almost daily basis since the agreement was announced. | The move triggered public anger. Vigils and rallies have taken place on an almost daily basis since the agreement was announced. |
| Dozens of people were arrested over the weekend and on Monday night protesters fought police as they tried to break up a rally. Two people were taken to hospital, Yonhap news agency said. | Dozens of people were arrested over the weekend and on Monday night protesters fought police as they tried to break up a rally. Two people were taken to hospital, Yonhap news agency said. |
| "We've been holding candlelight vigils, but Lee Myung-bak's government keeps its stance against the people's demand," one protester said. "We're expressing our anger." | "We've been holding candlelight vigils, but Lee Myung-bak's government keeps its stance against the people's demand," one protester said. "We're expressing our anger." |
| Last week, South Korean officials met US negotiators to clarify their right to suspend imports again if another outbreak of mad cow disease occurs. | Last week, South Korean officials met US negotiators to clarify their right to suspend imports again if another outbreak of mad cow disease occurs. |
| And on Tuesday, Prime Minister Han Seung-soo said the government had done its best to reassure the public. | And on Tuesday, Prime Minister Han Seung-soo said the government had done its best to reassure the public. |
| "Nevertheless, protesting rallies keep going on. They must not degenerate into political rallies that employ illegal activities," Yonhap quoted him as saying. | "Nevertheless, protesting rallies keep going on. They must not degenerate into political rallies that employ illegal activities," Yonhap quoted him as saying. |