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Buddhists protest U.S. beef imports
SEOUL, July 4 (Yonhap) -- Thousands of Buddhists gathered in central Seoul on Friday to protest the resumption of U.S. beef imports as part of an emerging religious movement to support civic rallies amid an intensifying police crackdown.
The Buddhists were the third religious group to pray in the plaza in front of City Hall this week, following Catholics and Protestants.
"The one million candles firmly showed that the owner of this nation is the people," monk Sugyeong said at the opening of the Buddhist service, referring to the largest street rally in 20 years held on June 10.
The government called on citizens to return to their normal life after its beef import agreement with Washington took effect last week. To ease public concerns over mad cow disease, Seoul limited the imports to beef from cattle of 30 months of age and younger.
Opponents, however, claimed the age limit is unverifiable and called for renegotiation of the deal, stepping up their protests against the Lee Myung-bak government. About 300 people, including more than 100 police officers, were injured in clashes at the demonstrations in Seoul last weekend.
Police said about 6,000 people participated in the Buddhist service, while organizers claimed the number of participants was much higher.
Civic organizers said an even larger rally was planned for the weekend, with tens of thousands of unionized workers on a massive strike to back the beef protests.
hkim@yna.co.kr
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