South Korean Announces Delay In Resumption Of U.S. Beef Imports

June 2, 2008 12:50 p.m. EST

Seoul, South Korea (AHN) - The South Korean government on Monday announced it is delaying the resumption of U.S. beef imports.

The announcement was made by Agriculture Ministry spokesman Kim Hyun-soo a day after violent protesters clashed with the police in the capital Seoul over the issue.

Over 200 demonstrators were arrested by the police during Sunday's violent dispersal. The protesters have accused the government of not protecting consumers against mad cow disease when it resumed U.S. beef importations.

Kim said the government is finalizing an administrative step to begin the importation. He gave no further details.

Last week, the administration of President Lee Myung-Bak lifted the ban on U.S. beef imports imposed in 2003 over fears of mad cow disease.

The decision saw Lee's popularity plummeting after tens of thousands of South Koreans took to the street to protest the resumption.