UN chief urges compatriots to government

Source: Agencies  |   2008-7-4  |     ONLINE EDITION

UN chief Ban Ki-moon told his fellow South Koreans today to trust and support the country's leaders following weeks of protests against US beef imports that have rocked the government.

Speaking at a joint news conference with South Korean Prime Minister Han Seung-soo, Ban said he felt it was "very important for the government to be responsible for upholding the public safety and the public welfare of the people."

"But at the same time, I also feel that it is very important for the people to support policies of the government and to actively have trust in the government and to ensure and support the Korean government's desire to act in accordance with international standards and agreements," the United Nations secretary-general said.

South Korea's agreement in April to resume American beef imports triggered strong public outrage amid perceptions, fanned in part by sensational media reports, that it would expose the country to a greater risk of mad cow disease.

Protesters have taken to the streets nearly every night in candlelight vigils to oppose the pact, despite repeated government assurances that the safety of American beef is scientifically proven.

Unrelenting demonstrations forced Seoul to negotiate an amendment to the deal with Washington to limit shipments to beef from younger cattle, believed less susceptible to mad cow disease.

But that failed to fully defuse the situation and daily demonstrations have continued and grown more violent. Protesters are demanding a full renegotiation of the beef deal, but the government says that doing so would hurt the country's international credibility.

Ban's remarks were seen as an expression of his concern over the continuing protests.

Lauding South Korea's rise to become an economic power and a true democracy, Ban said his fellow countrymen should "undertake a role that is commensurate with such accomplishments."