Row over US beef highlights democracy in South Korea

Jun 7, 2008, 16:08 GMT

South Korean protesters pull a police bus as they try to march on the main street during a rally against the recent South Korea-US agreement on the expansion of US beef imports, on the main street of Seoul, South Korea on 07 June 2008. The protesters demanded the renegotiation of the South Korean and US beef imports and the resignation of the president Lee Myung-bak. EPA/LEE KI-TAE

Seoul - Grassroots resentment over the government's decision to fully re-open the South Korean market to US beef is turning into a celebration to mark the hard-won right to free speech.

About 60,000 South Koreans gathered Saturday evening for a candle- lit rally in Seoul, the largest of its kind since the anti-beef lobby first took to the streets in April.

The rally was initially marred by scuffles as some protesters tried to break through the security cordon around the presidential office, the Blue House, only to be vigorously pushed back by police.

But by evening there was little sign of the tension that once led to casualties as riot police battled protesters objecting to President Lee Myung Bak's decision two months ago to resume imports of American beef despite people's concern about mad cow disease.

In response to the protests, Lee was forced to delay the action and ask Washington not to export beef from cattle more than 30 months old, believing this was safer.

The atmosphere Saturday evening was more like that of a peace rally than an angry protest. Man of those attending held candles and flowers, while others sang and danced or handed out balloons to children.

The scenes were also are a departure from the 1980s when South Koreans used to take the streets against the military dictatorship that ruled at the time.

'I brought my daughter to show her that we all have the right to free speech,' said Kim Ki-Chull, 40. Kim was once a student protester driven back by tear gas in the violent confrontations with armed riot police two decades ago.

A dozen music groups lined up to entertain the crowds in what one participant described as 'a festival for people to express themselves.'

'I am even enjoying the air of freedom here,' said Kim Hye-Jin, 35, who came with her son. 'We are here just to express ourselves. When night falls people will get together to express the same message.'