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S Korea beef protesters detained S Korea beef protesters detained
(9 minutes later)
South Korean police have fired water cannon and arrested more than 200 people who were protesting against plans to resume US beef imports. South Korean police have clashed with demonstrators in the capital Seoul during protests over government plans to resume US beef imports.
Some 20,000 people had gathered in Seoul to demonstrate, in the latest in a series of protests. They fired water cannon and arrested more than 200 of the protesters, who say the move does not protect consumers against mad cow disease.
Protesters who then tried to march on the presidential Blue House were blocked by police, prompting clashes in which 228 people were detained. At least 20,000 people gathered in Seoul for the latest in a month-long series of rallies on the issue.
The demonstrators say the plan fails to protect against mad cow disease. Polls say the popularity of President Lee Myung-Bak has plummeted.
The worst clashes occurred when some protesters tried to march toward the presidential residence, the Blue House.
Police deployed water cannon in three areas to try to disperse the crowds. Dozens of people were hurt.
Washington deal
Seoul's beef market was closed to US imports in 2003 after the first US case of the disease was found in a Canadian-born cow in Washington state.Seoul's beef market was closed to US imports in 2003 after the first US case of the disease was found in a Canadian-born cow in Washington state.
President's surprise Under a deal reached with Washington in April, Seoul agreed to accept all cuts of US beef from cattle of all ages.
April's decision to reopen the market has prompted weeks of protests. Other US trading partners such as Japan still will not do so because of concerns over mad cow disease and its deadly human variant, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
Police detained more than 225 people at the protest The deal was announced during a visit to the US by President Lee, and was described by his critics as a move to please Washington.
Under the deal, Seoul has agreed with Washington to accept all cuts of beef from cattle of all ages. Reports say the reaction to the deal has taken him by surprise.
Other US trading partners such as Japan still will not do so because of concerns over mad cow disease. Mr Lee took office in February on a wave of popularity, vowing to improve the economy.
The deal was announced during an April visit to the US by President Lee Myung-Bak and was described by his critics as a move to please Washington. Are you in the area? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments using the form below.
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