SKorea to get tougher with US beef protesters

[Snazzy]

Source: AFP

SKorea to get tougher with US beef protesters
48 minutes ago

SEOUL (AFP) — South Korea's embattled President Lee Myung-Bak ordered his cabinet Tuesday to take stern action against violent protests over US beef imports.

Lee made the statement as his agriculture minister, Chung Woon-Chun, said the resumption of the imports could not be delayed any longer.

"The government must listen to voices critical of government policy. But demonstrations challenging our national identity or illegal violent protests must be sternly dealt with," Lee was quoted by his spokesman as saying.

Negotiators last week secured additional US safeguards in hopes of ending weeks of mass protests against the supposed dangers of mad cow disease and against the policies of the new conservative government.
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Read more: http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5j59EEiHNdUDo5I-stHFsp_aFBKsg

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AP:

SKorean president pans illegal protests
By HYUNG-JIN KIM – 1 hour ago

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea's president spoke out Tuesday against the protests that have rattled his administration, saying the government would not tolerate any illegal, violent demonstrations against the planned resumption of U.S. beef imports.

South Korea and the United States struck a new deal last week restricting U.S. beef exports to younger cattle following weeks of street rallies in Seoul over health concerns. Korean activists, however, have vowed to keep rallying against President Lee Myung-bak, calling for a complete renegotiation of the original April beef accord.

Lee told a Cabinet meeting Tuesday that his government should "sternly deal with illegal, violent rallies that shake the national identity," according to his office. Lee added, however, that the government should review its policies when it faces protests criticizing a certain policy.

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http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gliEd1Bi_qB68ysYSDK2b_vze2ygD91G9TK01



South Korean protesters shout a slogan during a candlelight rally against U.S. beef imports in Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, June 23, 2008. South Korea said it will resume imports of U.S. beef after an agreement banning meat from older cattle, an attempt to soothe health concerns that have led to weeks of demonstrations against new President Lee Myung-bak. The letters on the cards read " Out President Lee Myung-bak". (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Edit add photo:



Police use extinguishers on protesters trying to pull a bus during an anti-US beef rally in Seoul on June 22. South Korea's embattled President Lee Myung-Bak ordered his cabinet Tuesday to take stern action against violent protests over US beef imports.
(AFP/Kim Jae-Hwan)

[MetaTrope]

1. Ah well, democracy was nice while it lasted, wasn't it?

[fasttense]

2. What is it these so called elected leaders don't get?

They are there to do the People's bidding not to do whatever they want. They weren't elected to amass power and force their ridiculous ideas on us. They were put there to do what we want, not what they want.

They have no understanding of Democracy.

[Nihil]

3. "Good boy! Who's a good little puppet them?"

> Negotiators last week secured additional US safeguards in hopes of
> ending weeks of mass protests against the supposed dangers of mad cow
> disease

"Mustn't let your population get too uppity in what they want to eat"

[daggahead]

4. More like ...

Musn't hinder the US meat cartel's ability to profit.