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Page last updated at 10:34 GMT, Tuesday, 27 May 2008 11:34 UK
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In pictures: S Korean beef furore

South Korean protesters struggle with riot police officers after a candlelight vigil - 26 May 2008

Dozens of arrests have been made in South Korea in recent days as people protesting against the recent relaxation of a ban on US beef imports clashed with police.

Protesters stage a candlelight vigil against a Korea-US agreement on the expansion of US beef imports to S Korea - May 3, 2008.

Thousands of South Koreans have attended vigils and rallies on an almost daily basis to protest against the deal made in April, claiming it will not protect the country from BSE (mad cow disease).

South Korean officer conducts inspection of the packs of imported U.S. beef at National Veterinary and Quarantine station in Incheon, west of Seoul, South Korea - October 30 2006, file photo

South Korea was once one of the top three importers of US beef, but it banned the product in 2003 after an outbreak of BSE in America.

South Korean farmers burn effigies of cows during an anti-government rally against the free trade agreement and call for scrapping the beef deal near the national assembly in Seoul, South Korea

Most of the protesters taking to the streets are students, but Korean farmers have also taken part saying the new deal threatens their livelihoods.

President Bush and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak ride in a golf cart in Camp David, Md. - April 18, 2008

On his state visit to the US in March, South Korean president Lee Myung-bak was told that Congress would refuse to ratify a crucial Free Trade Agreement until US beef imports were resumed.

A South Korean protester sits behind a poster denouncing South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, bottom, and U.S. President George W. Bush - 15 May 2008

The subsequent decision to allow beef imports back into South Korea led to a significant plunge in Mr Lee's popularity, who has issued an apology but ruled out going back on the deal.



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SEE ALSO
Protests in S Korea over US beef
27 May 08 |  Asia-Pacific
Koreans fight free trade deal
14 May 08 |  Business
South Korea relaxes US beef ban
18 Apr 08 |  Business
US and S Korea agree trade deal
02 Apr 07 |  Business
Beef row imperils US-Korea trade
02 Feb 07 |  Business

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