Korea: Amazing



Amazing. Hundreds of thousands of protestors pack the 16-lane Sejong street in downtown Seoul, Tuesday night - the largest public demonstration since last month when Koreans began to hold candlelit rallies to protest US beef imports due to fears about Mad Cow Disease.

South Korean Prime Minister Han Seung-soo and the Cabinet offered to resign en masse Tuesday, taking responsibility for the intensifying political crisis triggered by the government's failure in negotiations regarding US beef imports.

The presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae said Han tendered his and the Cabinet ministers' resignations to President Lee Myung-bak after chairing a weekly Cabinet meeting. Han had already admitted his failing in communicating with people over key policy issues and claimed responsibility for escalating anti-government street demonstrations.

Rallies were held in major cities across the nation, including Seoul, Busan and Gwangju.

KBS: Record Crowds Join Protest Rallies Across Nation

For the past 40 days, central Seoul has been rocked by demonstrations , which began as rallies by hundreds of teenage students, singing, dancing and holding candles to protest the importing of American beef. They have now evolved into a protest against government policies on education, health care and consumer prices.

NYT: Protests in South Korea Imperil Government

Ohmy News: Snapshots From Anti-US Beef Candle Vigils

Videos of the protests here...

Comments

owenandbenjamin said…
Yes, I am an American but this is so rediculous. Why the heck do Koreans feel the need to have such massive demonstrations over the exciting issue of beef imports? My god do they not have a life?
4:50 am, June 11, 2008
steveb said…
Tornadoes28, They are trying to preserve their quality of life. Yes, it started with a protest to being brow-beaten by the US to accept untested, chemically-enhanced beef, but it is growing into a wider awareness of general quality of life issues. More power to them.
9:33 am, June 11, 2008
owenandbenjamin said…
I don't agree. To say they are beeing browbeaten to accept untested, chemically altered beef is just paranoia and niavete.

I respect that you have your opinion but my opinion is that this fear is overblown and media driven.
12:10 am, June 12, 2008
Martin J Frid said…
Thanks for the comments.

I was in Seattle in November 1999 when US citizens took to the streets to protest against the World Trade Organization meeting. The US government responded harshly with tear gas, a strict curfew, military vehicles blocking major roads - and arresting and harassing hundreds if not thousands of protesters.

I'm proud of these Koreans who stand up for their right to express themselves, for free speech and for democracy.
10:50 pm, June 16, 2008
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