S. Korea: 80,000 protest new US beef import accord

About 80,000 protesters gathered in the South Korean capital Tuesday in the largest demonstration yet against the planned resumption of U.S. beef imports, as the entire Cabinet offered to resign in the uproar ...

[McCall Why]

Why does the McCall take such a liberal stance it is absolutely disgusting already and I sincerely feel a boycott of the paper is necessary. They do not cover the issues affecting the American Economy. Nothing on the demonstrations againt American Beef, by thousands of South Koreans. I say don't buu Hyundai, Kia, Samsung products. Time to show these countries what is good for one is good for the other. Cut copy and paste and spread the word. Boycott Korean Products!!!!!

Showing posts 1 - 6 of 6

[No Hyundai]

I say they don't like our beef, we don't like their cars, cell phones, Samsung products, KIA, Hyundai etc... The game has to be fair. It seems anything American they protest against. We must do the same to be fair.

[comment]

If you actually read the Korea-US FTA agreement, you will find that the nearly 600 page document has 100s of excpetions for protectionism of American products.

I agree, country of origin requirements do give consumers choice and if you do not like Korean products, Swiss products, or any countries products then it is the consumer's right to not buy.

The protests are not Anti-American, but more a lack of confidence that Lee Myung-bak and previous administration have put the right terms of consumer protection.

In any regards, democratic social protest is something that is allowed in Korea since the fall of military democracy for full elected representative democarcy. In this respect, Korea and the US are the same.

Vote with your dollars, this is the solution that Koreans want. They want truth in labeling, country of origin labeling, and rigid safety standards on age of cattle. Absent these, you will see continued protests, which have now stalled the Lee Myung-bak presidency to populatrity now in the teen percentage.

Koreans love American and European luxury goods, you have nothing to worry about the Koreans being beneficial to consumption for many American goods.

I myself sell over $20 million of goods per year into Korea from my companies.

[easy - see the fact]

Hundreds thousand of Koreans came out to the street against Korean president and his supporters, not American beef and FTA. They are angry because Korean president keeps on lying to the people. CNN focuses wrong way, which will not good for the relationship of two countries. Korea is very important country to USA to control China and Russia expantion.

[Raise Taxes]

easy - see the fact wrote:

Hundreds thousand of Koreans came out to the street against Korean president and his supporters, not American beef and FTA. They are angry because Korean president keeps on lying to the people. CNN focuses wrong way, which will not good for the relationship of two countries. Korea is very important country to USA to control China and Russia expantion.

It is called protectionism. They are mostly anti-american and I totaly dissagree that they are not protectionists. How many American Cars are in Korea? I have lived there for over three years. Your mindset is onscure from the tweny million you say you did in business.(From a dollar store) I witnessed the American Cigarette ban then the allowence and then the demonstrations against imports. The one thing I like is their ability to stick together for the betterment of their economy and their country. Yet they are not fair player as is China included. Look past the multidude of zeros on your bank ststement for what it is.

[Raise Taxes]

comment wrote:

If you actually read the Korea-US FTA agreement, you will find that the nearly 600 page document has 100s of excpetions for protectionism of American products.
I agree, country of origin requirements do give consumers choice and if you do not like Korean products, Swiss products, or any countries products then it is the consumer's right to not buy.
The protests are not Anti-American, but more a lack of confidence that Lee Myung-bak and previous administration have put the right terms of consumer protection.
In any regards, democratic social protest is something that is allowed in Korea since the fall of military democracy for full elected representative democarcy. In this respect, Korea and the US are the same.
Vote with your dollars, this is the solution that Koreans want. They want truth in labeling, country of origin labeling, and rigid safety standards on age of cattle. Absent these, you will see continued protests, which have now stalled the Lee Myung-bak presidency to populatrity now in the teen percentage.
Koreans love American and European luxury goods, you have nothing to worry about the Koreans being beneficial to consumption for many American goods.
I myself sell over $20 million of goods per year into Korea from my companies.

If you actually read the Korea-US FTA agreement, you will find that the nearly 600 page document has 100s of excpetions for protectionism of American products.

I agree, country of origin requirements do give consumers choice and if you do not like Korean products, Swiss products, or any countries products then it is the consumer's right to not buy

If you cannot find it you cannot buy it.
Also Korea-US FTA agreement
They Protested this also. There is entirely to much dissent as a friendly(?) to continue business as usual. How many years has anti-americanism been an issue in this country. Just cannot have it all without giving in a little.

[Raise Taxes]

easy - see the fact wrote:

Hundreds thousand of Koreans came out to the street against Korean president and his supporters, not American beef and FTA. They are angry because Korean president keeps on lying to the people. CNN focuses wrong way, which will not good for the relationship of two countries. Korea is very important country to USA to control China and Russia expantion.

It is now 2008 and America needs to reevaluate its obligations to the so called alliance. Some of the unrest is tolerable. But it has now been over thirty years of kaos.

[comment]

Raise Taxes wrote:

<quoted text>
It is called protectionism. They are mostly anti-american and I totaly dissagree that they are not protectionists. How many American Cars are in Korea? I have lived there for over three years. Your mindset is onscure from the tweny million you say you did in business.(From a dollar store) I witnessed the American Cigarette ban then the allowence and then the demonstrations against imports. The one thing I like is their ability to stick together for the betterment of their economy and their country. Yet they are not fair player as is China included. Look past the multidude of zeros on your bank ststement for what it is.

>>>>Your perception has some merit, your use of qualifiers "mostly" etc. are wrong. The great majority of Koreans are quite Pro-USA and actually are willing to even the playing field now that they have established themselves as an OECD and Top 10 economy. They great majority are for FTA Korea-USA and also FTA Korea-Europe and have been working on numerous other FTA agreements.
Korea today is not the Korea of pre 1997. The minority over FTA is quite small. However, the majority have great concern over food stock coming into the country, not because it is American, but because of issue of legitimate labeling and health issues. This can be overcome.
As for the security arrangement, the US has reduced combined Forces of UN Command and US Command from 38k to 28k with goal of being under 25k. The Korean's are picking up combat control within the next 5 years, nearly $1 billion in force relocation costs for US, as well as increased defense buying from the US.
I doubt there are many who hold the position that US and Korea need to severe their security and economic relationships.
This is a minor blip toward continued outstanding relationships between Korea and USA. USA should be so lucky to have thousands of Koreans spend thier money in US each summer as visitors (economic injections into the LA, NY markets) and also send their children to prep school, college, and graduate school in Korea.
If you ever wondered where Max Hess was reincarnated? It is probably here in Korea as Shinsege, Lotte, Hyundai Department Stores are outstanding. Reminds me of Hess's or any other great American urban department stores of the 1910s to 1960s.
There is no reason to villify the Koreans. The US is doing quite well believe it or not selling into the Korean markets. In fact, the American Chamber of Commerce occupies one or two floors and has 100s of Korean interns creating new opportunites everyweek at the World Trader Building at the COEX.
I have had great Australian and Argentinina beef as well as Kobe beef in Korea. US will have to brand itself well and quit feeding cattle corn feed, if it is going to compete in the health concisous market here. American beef goes on-line here July 7th. I am sure they will sell tons per week and keep middle America happy that they are in back in Korea after a few years hiatus since the bone fragments were found in beef a few years ago and outbreak of MadCow in a few head of cattle.
They will be buyers.

[comment]

1. Dog became an option for protein intake because of the Korean War and shortage of food.

2. Most Korean have dogs as pets, not to eat.

3. Don't knock it until you have actually tried it in either Asia or Caribeean.

4. Far worse things that I have eaten in China and VietNam. From cockroaches, rat, bat, scorpions, the list goes on.

Beef is now on the shelves, the cattle ranchers of America can all now calm down that they can get their product into another country. How about getting rid of the billions of dollars of government subsidies that we give our central state farmers and ranchers? If we are going to be capitalists, lets really go for it without government help!

Personally, I look forward to it. Grass fed Kalbi or Kobe beef is nearly 5x the cost of American beef. I personally do not like paying $50 for a good cut of tenderloin for 2. I as a consumer here appreciate that it has been settled and there is the choice of Korean, Japanese, Australian, New Zealand, Argentinan and American beef now. May the best cattlemen win!

Lee Myung Bak is still tanking though and that is truly what the protests were about. American media is lost in the nuance of reporting what really is happening here.

[norcalfinfan]

comment wrote:

1. Dog became an option for protein intake because of the Korean War and shortage of food.
2. Most Korean have dogs as pets, not to eat.
3. Don't knock it until you have actually tried it in either Asia or Caribeean.
4. Far worse things that I have eaten in China and VietNam. From cockroaches, rat, bat, scorpions, the list goes on.
Beef is now on the shelves, the cattle ranchers of America can all now calm down that they can get their product into another country. How about getting rid of the billions of dollars of government subsidies that we give our central state farmers and ranchers? If we are going to be capitalists, lets really go for it without government help!
Personally, I look forward to it. Grass fed Kalbi or Kobe beef is nearly 5x the cost of American beef. I personally do not like paying $50 for a good cut of tenderloin for 2. I as a consumer here appreciate that it has been settled and there is the choice of Korean, Japanese, Australian, New Zealand, Argentinan and American beef now. May the best cattlemen win!
Lee Myung Bak is still tanking though and that is truly what the protests were about. American media is lost in the nuance of reporting what really is happening here.

So what is really behind these silly protests??? One cow was discovered with mad cow (maybe) half a world away and the Korean people want to ban all of our beef imports. You have a better chance of getting nuked from your friends in the north than you do from getting a disease from American beef. Why do you hate us??? If it weren't for this country you would have to singing praises to the "dear leader" in the north. I don't get it. Please explain..

[comment]

First, beef imports have been allowed from foreign countries for years into Korea. The US failed multiple beef inspections for age of cattle, bone fragments, as well as 2-3 cases of mad cow approximatley 2-3 years ago. Since then, a temporary restriction has been in place and abided by the US as they US was negotiating the Korea-USA FTA. The US via the midwest lobby wants to push agriculture and cattle products into Korea, though in big scheme of trade makes up a small percentage of the overall trade.

The people are upset with the insider collusion of what is seen as a government that is in place to benefit the wealthy only. The protests are a reason and manifestation of the discontent of putting corporate elites into high level government positions, policy that is excessively favorable to the corporte elite at the expense of the working class, and cowtailing to US policy on every issue.

Korean far from "hate" anyone, even thier neighbor. As you may remember from your history, the bifurcation of the Korean Peninsula was created by the U.S. post WWII from a Korea occupied by the Japanese. The US agreed to severe Korea and put northern portion in the hands of the Soviet Union. They eventually went communist, while the south had a president installed by the support of Truman that was more rightist. In any regards, Korea is both the beneficiary and also lives the remnants of decisions made at that time of the Cold War. You may also know that Koreans equally fought for thier independence in that war, that ultimately was never resolved and we still negotiate and hold the peace today.

You may equally know that change of command will put the Penisula under the military command structure of a 600,000+ Korean defense, with the US playing a supporting role of just 25,000 and possible less in the future.

If there is ever an example of a harmonious, balanced, foreign policy initiative, it has been the willingness to take the good and bad that comes with the US. They are far from how you depict them in your simple rhetoric, but they like any nation seek full automony at some point to have a unified Korea and a government that does not have such entrenched involvement from the outside world.

Also, why do you speak to me in the first person,when your question is of the Korean people?

The US has and will continue to benefit under FTA, but ag and cattle should be least of the worries, but in a Senate with equal representation, everyone here understands why it is placed in every trade legislation across the world. Everyone has to satisfy their constituents. The US will benefit via high end services transfers such as consulting, accounting, financial services, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals,etc. The Koreans will make some further inroads in mid-tier skilled industries of chemcials, shipbuilding, construction, electronics, steel, and a few other manufacturing technologies such as semiconductors.

In any regards, this economy has become a major trading partner with US and China is forever economically linked to both. As all three keep stability and grow, so does the prospect for peace and higher quality of life for all three.

Time to go fly a kite, now!

[norcalfinfan]

I like Korea and the Korean people (as well as Kim Chee) As an american I am just tired of many of the worlds country's blaming us for many of their woes. What would you have this country do??? We attempt to trade freely but are thwarted at every turn by protectionism in the countries we seek fair and equal trade with. It seems to me that the prevailing sentiment in much of the rest of the world is that they would enjoy our demise. Would this really make your lives better??? Your assessment of the events right after WWII are of course correct but if we had sat out the conflict between north and south korea (as you seem to suggest that america should have done) do you think the outcome would have been more in the south's favor??? Maybe we should withdraw totally from world politics and conflicts and just worry about what happens here. Would this suit everyone??? Just let the chips fall where they may. We lost almost 60000 of our men defending your homeland but you have a problem with American steaks??? C'mon there must be more to the story. Corporate greed (as you correctly point out) is a problem EVERYWHERE. HOW TO CORRECT IT IS BEYOND MY FEEBLE MIND. I still want to visit seoul one day and have some of your great food ( no dog please) So, should we just pull our troops out of Koreaa as well as everywhere else on the planet and suddenly, overnight the world will be the paradise that American has denied it from being all these years??? Is THIS what everyone wants??? Educate me.

[comment]

Do not make assessments to what my belief are because you will in all probability be wrong.

If you want to see protectionism, review the history of the autombile industry and steel industry of the US or the current FTA agreements of the United States or areas we Americans subsidize. We are far from immune of critique on "free capitalism."

Here is the story, Korean President sacked half his cabinet today because of his ineptness to accomplish anything significant in his first 100 days and Korean economy like many around the world is faced with inflation, a weak currency, trade deficit, and a current account deficit.

Educate yourself, since you like to not only speak for yourself, but for others also. When you travel the world, then you can speak from experience rather than rhetoric alone.

There is a UN contingent in Korea yet, which is still led by a US General for Forces Korea. The world has not pulled out, but it has been a "world effort" to promote peace in NE Asia after nearly 2000 years of cyclical wars of the Mongolian, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean people. Though Koreans tend to be least war like and willing to live in harmony in their dynasties and fight only for protection, not offensive action.

Now go get a history of northeast Asia book, or history of Korean War book, or economic history of Korea, Japan, China and educate yourself rather than asking questions for which you have a predetermined answer for

[norcalfinfan]

comment wrote:

Do not make assessments to what my belief are because you will in all probability be wrong.
If you want to see protectionism, review the history of the autombile industry and steel industry of the US or the current FTA agreements of the United States or areas we Americans subsidize. We are far from immune of critique on "free capitalism."
Here is the story, Korean President sacked half his cabinet today because of his ineptness to accomplish anything significant in his first 100 days and Korean economy like many around the world is faced with inflation, a weak currency, trade deficit, and a current account deficit.
Educate yourself, since you like to not only speak for yourself, but for others also. When you travel the world, then you can speak from experience rather than rhetoric alone.
There is a UN contingent in Korea yet, which is still led by a US General for Forces Korea. The world has not pulled out, but it has been a "world effort" to promote peace in NE Asia after nearly 2000 years of cyclical wars of the Mongolian, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean people. Though Koreans tend to be least war like and willing to live in harmony in their dynasties and fight only for protection, not offensive action.
Now go get a history of northeast Asia book, or history of Korean War book, or economic history of Korea, Japan, China and educate yourself rather than asking questions for which you have a predetermined answer for

You really did not answer me. Should we stay or should we go??? Also should we have led the police action in 1950 or just left north and south to fight it out??? I think we all know how THAT would have turned out. I am TRYING to educate myself by asking these questions of what I assume to be a South Korean. How much is beef by the pound (on average)? How much do you pay for gas now? What is your average monthly utility bill there? Who would you like to win the American Presidency and why? I hope you will continue to educate me.

[Heard]

I heard that the reason why so many Koreans are protesting is mostly towards the President and not the American beef. Is it true that the beef being sent to Korea are the ones that cannot be sold in the U.S. due to the health restrictions? If that's the case, I could see why the people are protesting towards the Korean President for making such selfish decisions. People who think that the Koreans are demonstrating against American products have it all wrong. Shame on the U.S. media for not printing the whole story.

[Heard]

Also, people who still think that Korea's main protein staple is dogs are not only wrong but damn ignorant as well. That hurts.

[Kirk]

Couldn't American cattle ranchers sue Korea for slander due to the fact that not one American bred Cow has had Mad Cow? It was a cow from Canada that did.

[comment]

Kirk wrote:

Couldn't American cattle ranchers sue Korea for slander due to the fact that not one American bred Cow has had Mad Cow? It was a cow from Canada that did.

Kirk, you are right and wrong. You could attempt to find a venue that would hear the case, but enforceability of any judgement does not extend to across borders for soveriegns, unless part of a negotiated agreements of nations.

The occurence of Mad Cow in the US in near 2 per 1 million head of cattle. Lower than Japan and many other countries. England has an astronomically high rate of Mad Cow.

[correct]

easy - see the fact wrote:

Hundreds thousand of Koreans came out to the street against Korean president and his supporters, not American beef and FTA. They are angry because Korean president keeps on lying to the people. CNN focuses wrong way, which will not good for the relationship of two countries. Korea is very important country to USA to control China and Russia expantion.

I actually agree with the first part. The second part is just crap. USA will never control China nor Russia nor are they capable of doing such. If you know the whole story it is pretty interesting how shit this new president of Korea is. The beef deal was only a trigger that made people to act and CNN or any other press are focusing the wrong way. They are there because they hate this new president the beef was only a trigger. This should not even be called beef protest. By the way USA just refused Canada's request to import cows older than 30 months because of the fear of mad cow disease and Japan just refused USA's request to import cows older than 20 months for the same reason. Anyway, this isn't about cows nor beef. It is about that new president of Korea. Not many people know this though. If you can read a little bit of Korean, you can actually notice how people call him by his Japanese name because they don't consider him as a Korean. What would you say if Obama was elected and the first thing he did was kicking out the CEOs of Times, CNN, Washington Post, and etc. then giving the job to his own men? That's what this new president of Korea did.

[anna]

One thing is very clear-the Korean problem with US beef is not the beef. It is a political issue, and the resumption of beef trade with the US is an excuse to demonstrate against the Korean leadership. That is very understandable, as the same thing happens here in the US. I am a US cattle rancher, and I would just like to take this opportunity to tell the people of Korea that we would not send you anything that we ourselves would not eat. In fact, the beef that you will be getting will be the best of the best. The strict regulations put into place to assure that our cattle will even be eligible to be processed for export to your country assures that. Animals are now traceable from birth to slaughter, a concept that makes a lot of sense and should have been in place years ago in this country. I, and my fellow cattle producers are proud to produce the high quality beef that we consistently put out. I hope that trade issues and political and social issues in your country do not keep you from experiencing our product. Most Americans are just like myself, doing what we need to do to make a living. We do not begrudge the minority of people who make waves, and we will continue to buy your cars, electronic goods, and so forth. Thank you for listening to me.