YONHAP NEWS

Massive protest against U.S. beef to be held in Seoul

   SEOUL, July 5 (Yonhap) -- More than half a million South Koreans will hold a candlelight vigil in central Seoul on Saturday night to protest against American beef imports, organizers said.

   Although the organizers promised it will be a peaceful event, violence may occur as conservatives critical of months of anti-government protests are set to hold a counter demonstration in a nearby area.

   The progressive group which has spearheaded protests against U.S. beef imports said the upcoming demonstration in front of the Seoul City Hall will be one of the largest yet, including religious groups, opposition lawmakers, labor unionists, and civic activists.

   "More than 500,000 people will take part," it said. "The candlelight vigil will be held today under the principle of complete non-violence as previous ones have been."

   American beef, which protesters claim may not be safe from mad cow disease, returned to store shelves here following Seoul's agreement in April to lift a ban on the meat imposed after a case of mad cow disease was reported in the state of Washington in 2003.

   Critics have argued that South Korea's new pro-American government hurried to sign the deal to save the Seoul-Washington free trade agreement which has yet to be ratified by the legislatures of the two nations. lcd@yna.co.kr
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