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SEOUL : South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak said Wednesday his government would immediately stop US beef imports if public health is threatened.
Lee said at a meeting with local government officials in the southern city of Jeonju that the government is always determined to protect public health, according to a pool report.
"The government will immediately stop beef imports and work out relevant steps should the opening of our beef market poses any threat to the health of our people," he said.
"I know many people are very concerned about the opening of our beef market. Nothing is more important than the lives of the people."
Lee's comment came as parliament held a hearing on an agreement to resume US beef imports.
South Korea agreed last month to lift the ban, on the eve of a Washington summit between Presidents Lee Myung-Bak and George W. Bush.
Opening up the beef market is a key precondition for US legislative approval of a separate and sweeping free trade pact.
Seoul and Washington say US beef is totally safe. But thousands of people have staged candlelit protests against US beef imports.
Opponents say Seoul has not secured enough safeguards against the dangers of mad cow disease. They have urged the government to scrap or at least re-negotiate the deal.
- AFP /ls
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