Hundreds injured in clashes over US beef imports

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-29  |     ONLINE EDITION

SOUTH Korean protesters battled riot police early today at a rally opposing the resumption of American beef imports, hours after the US secretary of state vouched for the health of US cattle.

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

Angry protesters attacked police with steel pipes and stones, while police used clubs and shields against the crowd. The clash left several hundred protesters and riot police injured, according to local media reports.

Police said they also arrested about 50 protesters on charges of assaulting police and illegally occupying streets.

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

The beef issue topped the agenda when US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met South Korean officials during her visit to Seoul as part of an Asian tour.

Rice faced a barrage of questions about the safety of American beef. She told reporters she hoped this issue would not distract from other matters.

"I want to assure everyone that American beef is safe," she told a news conference with South Korea's foreign minister, Yu Myung-hwan. "We will continue to work with you to have consumer confidence in that matter."