SEOUL: South Korea decided Monday to put off the implementation of its decision to resume US beef imports, the agriculture ministry said in the wake of widespread protests.

The ministry said that it had asked for administrative procedures "on the implementation of new hygienic conditions" for US beef imports to be delayed following a request from the ruling Grand National Party.

South Korea lifted a ban on US beef imports last week despite growing protests over fears of mad cow disease as it struggles to ratify a sweeping free trade deal with the US, the world's biggest economy.

Procedural steps to lift the ban were supposed to be completed on Tuesday. - AFP/ac

• 70 South Korean beef protesters arrested in new clashes with police • 228 arrested as South Korean beef protesters clash with police • Candle-lit protest against US beef imports intensifies in Seoul • South Korean opposition threatens court action against US beef • SKorea resumes US beef imports as protesters vow to continue with rallies • SKorea's parliament dissolves, fails to ratify US trade deal