S. Korean police raid groups leading rallies against US beef imports

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-30  |     ONLINE EDITION

POLICE launched raids today on offices of two civic groups that have speerheaded weeks of street rallies against South Korea's resumption of United States beef imports, as the government pledged not to tolerate violent, illegal demonstrations.

Police officers searched the Seoul offices of the civic groups and confiscated materials and documents related to their rallies, said an official at Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, on condition of anonymity, citing an agency policy. He did not provide further details.

Yonhap news agency reported that police confiscated computers, documents, pickets and flags containing anti-government slogans and other materials used during demonstrations. Yonhap also said police arrested one civic group leader on charges of organizing illegal rallies. Calls to the civic groups were unanswered.

Activists, students and ordinary citizens have staged daily candlelight rallies in Seoul to voice fears about the possible health risks of US beef, such as mad cow disease, following an accord in April to restart imports. The protests turned violent after officials began inspecting US beef Friday, before it can reach markets as early as this week.

The government earlier had halted implementation of the April accord in the face of weeks of protests and negotiated an update with Washington last week stipulating that the beef must be from cows younger than 30 months, believed to be at less risk of disease.

The government subsequently said it intended to carry out the accord and urged activists to stop any illegal protests.

During a rally that began Saturday night, about 15,000 people _ some wielding steel pipes and hurling stones at police -- demonstrated in the capital, leaving more than 200 protesters and riot police injured. Hundreds of labor activists also blocked customs storage facilities.