SEOUL (AFP) — South Korea's ruling party on Monday sent a delegation to Washington to discuss changes to a US beef import deal which has sparked mass protests over food safety concerns.
The ruling Grand National Party said a five-strong team, including four lawmakers, would meet trade officials, senior legislators and business leaders in Washington until Friday.
Tens of thousands of protesters have taken to Seoul streets almost daily in recent weeks, claiming the deal lacks enough safeguards against the supposed dangers of mad cow disease.
They have demanded President Lee Myung-Bak renegotiate the agreement to resume the beef imports, which were suspended in 2003 over mad cow fears, or step down.
Lee is reportedly considering reshuffling his cabinet in a bid to end the worst political crisis he has faced since taking office in February.
"There should be restraint in the imports of cattle more than 30 months old," GNP chairman Kang Jae-Sup told the team before its departure, stressing Seoul's recently modified stance.
"President Lee has talked about this with President Bush. I hope (the delegates) will explain this to the United States, look into the atmosphere there and convey our opinion well."
Seoul has sought to allay public anger by delaying the resumption of imports and asking Washington not to export beef from cattle more than 30 months old, which are seen as more vulnerable to possible infection.
But Lee has insisted he will not renegotiate the beef deal, saying such a move could jeopardise a separate free trade pact with the United States.
On Saturday Bush promised to help ease South Korean fears over beef imports during a 20-minute phone conversation with Lee, Seoul officials said.
He reportedly pledged to ensure that the United States would not export beef from cattle older than 30 months.
But protests have shown no sign of abating, with a candlelight vigil drawing some 40,000 protesters in downtown Seoul on Saturday. The rally ended violently early Sunday, with demonstrators clashing with police and smashing the windows of police buses.
An even bigger rally is expected on Tuesday. Leaflets plastered on walls by the "People's Association Against Mad Cow Disease" have called for one million people to attend the rally on June 10, the 20th anniversary of a mass pro-democracy protest.
Dong-A Ilbo newspaper said Monday that Lee was expected to announce a cabinet shake-up on Tuesday. It said the reshuffle would likely affect four senior presidential aides and at least two cabinet members -- the agriculture and health ministers.
US legislators have made it clear they will not ratify a sweeping free trade agreement until after the beef market is opened up. Washington says the meat is totally safe to eat.
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