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Mob battles S Korean riot cops

South Korean protesters battled riot police early yesterday at a rally opposing the resumption of US 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 on Saturday 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.

Several hundred protesters were hurt during the rally that continued until yesterday morning, according to a coalition of civic groups that has organized weeks of demonstrations.

Police said the clash left more than 100 riot police injured and about 50 protesters were arrested 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. She flew to China yesterday.

Just one day after North Korea demolished the most visible symbol of its nuclear programs, Rice faced a barrage of questions on Saturday about the safety of US 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 said at a news conference with South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan. “We will continue to work with you to have consumer confidence in that matter.”

For many South Koreans, who have lived with threats from their neighbor for five decades, the nuclear issue is of less concern than Seoul’s agreement to lift a ban on US beef imports in April, which was a way to restore strained ties with Washington.

About 15 sign-carrying protesters gathered outside the South Korean Foreign Ministry, where Rice met with Yu.

“Rice, go home,” they chanted.

Placards said, “Stop Rice and Mad Cow,” and “We Don’t Need U.S. Troops. We Don’t Need Mad Cows.”

Earlier rallies opposing the beef import deal drew 80,000 people at their peak, but have since dwindled. South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said he would not tolerate illegal, violent protests against the US beef imports any longer.

Police were considering using tear gas if violent demonstrations continue, said a police officer on condition of anonymity, citing policy. The use of tear gas has been banned since 1999.

Jang Dae-hyun, a spokesman for the protest group, said police should cease the harsh methods used against demonstrators to prevent further violence.

“We’ve been supporting peaceful rallies, but the police crackdown is too harsh,” Jang said.

US beef has been banned since late 2003, when the first case of mad cow disease in the US was discovered. In the wake of public outrage over plans to resume shipments of US beef, the South Korean Cabinet offered to resign and the president reshuffled top advisers.


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