Anti-US beef protest draws 100,000 S.Koreans

A decision to resume importing U.S. beef by the South Korean government sparked a massive demonstration that shut down a 16 lane thoroughfare in the capital city of Seoul.

South Korea had stopped all imports of beef from the U.S. after their 2003 outbreak of mad cow disease.

The protest, a candle-lit vigil of 100,000, was preceded by more than a week of other protests against President Lee Myung-bak, who has seen a drastic decline in his popularity.

College student Ju Ha-na, 24, who took part in a head-shaving ceremony in protest with 19 others said that it was not just the beef deal, but that the government is anti-working people.

President Lee last week apologized for ignoring public health concerns and promised to restore the ban if there was a fresh outbreak of mad cow disease.

SEOUL, May 31 (Reuters) – South Korean students, parents with toddlers in tow, and union members took to the streets on Saturday in a massive protest against a government decision to resume imports of U.S. beef that they see as dangerous.

The organisers of the candle-lit vigil said 100,000 people were at the rally that stopped traffic on the 16-lane central Seoul main thoroughfare, after more than a week of daily protests against President Lee Myung-bak.

Posted by shades
I am a 61-year-old portrait artist (charcoal&pastel) residing in Milwaukee. In my other life, I spent 4 years as a Security Policeman in the Air force. Upon discharge my first act was joining every peace group I could find, including Vietnam Vets Against the...