MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Seoul government cornered by US beef triggered crisis

South Korea's president called for an end to an on going dispute over United States beef imports, saying it was time for the nation to concentrate on overcoming domestic and economic difficulties.

President Lee Myung-bak made the request on Thursday in a nationally televised speech to cheering ruling party members who had packed a Seoul gymnasium to elect their new leaders. "We are facing dual challenges at home and abroad" Lee said. "Our law and order have been ignored and our economic difficulties have been deepened. We must wisely and squarely surmount these challenges". Lee said his government would make "a fresh start" to win back public confidence and that he was confidant of overcoming the difficulties in cooperation with Grand National Party members. Later Thursday, the GNP elected Park Hee-tae, a five-time lawmaker and close associate of Lee, as its new chairman. Park said in a victory speech that his party will dedicate itself to reviving the slowing economy and restoring public support. The president urged the GNP to unite in resolving the beef dispute â€" which he believes scared off foreign investors â€" and overcoming economic woes such as surging global oil prices. Lee said he would not tolerate illegal, violent protests against US beef imports, though he would listen more carefully to public opinions at peaceful rallies. Lee's government agreed to lift a long-term ban on US beef imports in April, prompting weeks of street rallies over health concerns and a perception that he had backed down too easily to Washington pressure. Amid nose-diving popularity, Lee was forced to replace top advisers and his entire Cabinet has offered to resign. Seoul negotiated an amendment to the import deal last month to limit shipments to beef from cattle younger than 30 months, believed less susceptible to mad cow disease. US beef went on sale earlier this week but is not widely available because large supermarket chains and restaurants are reluctant to sell it for fear of a public backlash. The sale was believed to be limited to only a handful of stores. On Thursday, South Korean consumer groups launched a nationwide campaign to boycott US beef, vowing to make the country free of mad cow disease.