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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| S Korea seeks change on beef deal | S Korea seeks change on beef deal |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| South Korea says it has requested a key change to a US beef import deal, after weeks of anti-government protests. | South Korea says it has requested a key change to a US beef import deal, after weeks of anti-government protests. |
| Farming Minister Chung Woon-chun said Seoul had asked the US to stop exports from cattle aged more than 30 months, in an effort to ease health fears. | |
| Imports would be delayed until the US responded, he said. | Imports would be delayed until the US responded, he said. |
| Over the weekend, tens of thousands demonstrated over the resumption of US beef imports - a move they say could expose consumers to mad cow disease. | Over the weekend, tens of thousands demonstrated over the resumption of US beef imports - a move they say could expose consumers to mad cow disease. |
| More than 200 people were arrested and dozens were hurt as police and demonstrators clashed in the capital. | More than 200 people were arrested and dozens were hurt as police and demonstrators clashed in the capital. |
| 'Suspended' | 'Suspended' |
| The beef issue has become a major challenge to new President Lee Myung-bak, with support for him plummeting. | The beef issue has become a major challenge to new President Lee Myung-bak, with support for him plummeting. |
| South Korea suspended most US beef imports after concerns about BSE | South Korea suspended most US beef imports after concerns about BSE |
| South Korea used to be a major market for US beef, but banned most imports in 2003 after an outbreak of mad cow disease, or BSE, 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, or BSE, there. |
| In April Mr Lee's government agreed to relax most of the restrictions - after US lawmakers made it clear they would not back a bilateral trade deal without concessions on beef. | In April Mr Lee's government agreed to relax most of the restrictions - after US lawmakers made it clear they would not back a bilateral trade deal without concessions on beef. |
| The move triggered public anger, even though the government has described concerns over the beef as "unfounded rumours". | The move triggered public anger, even though the government has described concerns over the beef as "unfounded rumours". |
| Vigils and rallies have taken place on an almost daily basis since the agreement was announced. | Vigils and rallies have taken place on an almost daily basis since the agreement was announced. |
| In recent days they have grown in size and there have been scuffles and clashes. Some of the demonstrators have called on Mr Lee to step down. | In recent days they have grown in size and there have been scuffles and clashes. Some of the demonstrators have called on Mr Lee to step down. |
| Late on Monday, the government announced that it was delaying implementation of the beef deal. | Late on Monday, the government announced that it was delaying implementation of the beef deal. |
| Then on Tuesday, Mr Chung said that the government was looking to renegotiate it. | Then on Tuesday, Mr Chung said that the government was looking to renegotiate it. |
| "In response to public safety concerns over US beef, the government had asked the United States to stop exports of beef from cattle older than 30 months old," he told journalists. | "In response to public safety concerns over US beef, the government had asked the United States to stop exports of beef from cattle older than 30 months old," he told journalists. |
| "Until we receive a US response, beef imports and quarantine inspection will be suspended." | "Until we receive a US response, beef imports and quarantine inspection will be suspended." |
| There was no immediate response from the US. | There was no immediate response from the US. |