SEOUL (AFP) — The US ambassador to Seoul defended himself Thursday against charges that remarks he made over a beef imports dispute had "insulted" South Koreans.
Alexander Vershbow said he regretted his comments had been interpreted in such a way, amid public anger over plans by the South Korean government to resume US beef imports despite concerns over mad cow disease.
The beef deal has sparked escalating protests on the streets, posing the biggest test for President Lee Myung-Bak's new government since it took office earlier this year.
On Tuesday, when Seoul announced it would delay the resumption in order to ease concerns, Vershbow said he was disappointed by the decision and insisted there was no scientific justification for it.
"We hope that Koreans will begin to learn more about the science and about the facts of American beef," he said, "and that this issue can be addressed constructively."
The comments sparked criticism from opposition lawmakers and other critics of the beef deal, who said it was wrong for a foreign diplomat to comment on the government's actions and to cast aspersions about what people knew.
Sohn Hak-kyu, leader of the main opposition United Democratic Party, said Vershbow had "insulted all South Koreans," according to Yonhap news agency, which said the Internet had been flooded with messages condemning his words.
The envoy duly responded Thursday in a statement issued by the embassy.
"I regret that my comments have been interpreted in a way that caused offence to some Koreans," he said.
"I have the highest regard for the educational level of Koreans and respect their concerns about food safety.
"I am working very hard on ways to address the Korean public's concerns and build confidence in the safety of US beef."
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