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

[to anna]

I am not trying to take Korea's side with this but I probably know a little bit more about this than you do. This is not a political issue unless your definition of politic is really broad. Unlike Korean governt's claim that the protesters are "lefty communists", none of them are communists and they are all conservative, neutral and progressive without any political ideology involved which is the hidden truth right now because the new president of Korea owns Korean CNN, Times and Washington Post and etc right now by replacing the CEOs with his own men. This has nothing to do with political ideology nor belief and is purely people being angry at the government and beef was just a trigger like many protesters have stated. They have had problems with the government even before the beef incident which simply triggered their anger.

By the way, Japan just refused USA's request to import beefs older than 20 months a couple of days ago and USA just refused Canada's request to import beefs older than 30 months. Over the last 20 years patients showing BSE symptoms dramatically increased by 9000% in USA.

And clearly this is not a "beef protest" and CNN just fails at what to focus. Even if the new president of Korea decides to import USA beef freshier than 20 months, which is what the protesters want, the protest won't stop because beef was nothing more than a trigger. CNN and Times just fails at what to focus and get hung up on the beef too much maybe because it has to do with USA but the protest is not just about beef but the new government of Korea.

[anna]

To Ottawa-I appreciate you answering me, and you are most definetley right, I don't understand all that is going on with the Asian countries, especially Korea. All I do know is that it is political. Being a rancher, I don't have alot of time to study politics in depth, I try to follow the news and dig deeper into the issues that directly impact me. You made one point that I would like you to explain further-that is the 9000% increase in BSE symptoms. That seems like a strange statement. Thank you again for explaining to me.

[to anna]

That's what I was saying. It is not political at all. When Americans protested against Bush for sending troops to Iraq who dare called it "political protest"? No one. I can't say I am like a master of Korea but I know enough to see current Korean government's propaganda to cover up this massacre as "just about beef" and "crushing political activity".

Here is a video made by a Korean American that might help your understanding a little bit better.

http://video.google.com/videosearch...

There is a little bit too much rage but think about how Koreans in Korea would be much more angry.

[to anna]

I am sorry that is a wrong video. This is the part you need. http://video.google.com/videosearch... #

[to anna]

This is not about the beef. It is about the government. Koreans want a new government who is actually willing to look after its people and hurting people, and the new government of Korea is trying to cover this up as a "beef protest" because if he officially admits people do not want him then it does not look good in the world of democracy. That's why he is trying so hard to cover up the protest as "beef protest", "anti-Ameircan" by "lefty communists". My Korean friends tell me he is often criticized by Koreans to learn from his master which would be Japan who has been accepting only beefs under 20 months age and again refused USA's request to import beefs older than 30 months. It is not about health itself but that will and desire to look after its people which is missing right now.

[diamond-mt]

It must be important to note that South Korean do not refuse the US beef importation it self.
What South Korean people want is that the South Korean government must import cows less than 30 months.

Is that request so "irrational"?
Is that called "protectionism"?

In my opinion, it is quite reasonable for the South Korean people to request their government to import some more safe cows, like less than 30 months. The Japanese government imports cows less than 20 months.

[diamond-mt]

In my opinion, South Koreans do not object to the US beef importation itself.
South Koreans request the South Korean government to import cows less than 30 months.

Do not misunderstand!

[PAUL SHYKORA]

IT IS NOT about the ....BEEF...toooo booot!!!Thankyous' All!!GOD Bless..Onward!!...eh...

[comment]

Beef is being imported now. The Korean people are happy that a reasonable solution has been found which gives them consumer choice through labeling. This labeling standrard applies to all beef to country of origin and age.

US has 10% of the foreign beef market, which is dominated by the Australians who have 70% market share. Here is a hint for you cattle farmers. Asians prefer grass fed cattle of a younger age and are willing to buy it. Grow premium cattle!