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SEOUL - Nearly 230 people were arrested early on Sunday as thousands of hardcore South Korean protesters rallying against moves to resume US beef imports fought running battles with police.
Riot police carrying shields used water canon and scuffled with angry demonstrators as they broke up an attempt to march on the presidential office overnight, detaining 228.
The clashes followed mass protests late on Saturday when some 20,000 people joined a candle-lit vigil against the government's decision to import US beef again after an initial ban in 2003 over mad cow fears.
"Police have taken 228 people into custody, and they are subject to interrogation for possible punishment," a Seoul police spokesman told AFP.
No serious injuries were reported despite the display of force against thousands of unruly protesters who chanted, "Down with President Lee Myung-Bak," as they confronted thousands of riot police.
Seoul agreed in April to lift its intermittent ban on US beef imports, which was first imposed in December 2003 over mad cow disease.
But opponents claim the government has not secured safeguards against the alleged dangers posed by the human form of the illness.
The resumption of US beef imports was a pre-condition for Washington's approval of a free trade agreement with South Korea, which some analysts say could boost annual trade between the two nations by 20 billion dollars.
However, South Korea's parliament failed to ratify the free trade deal before the legislature's four-year term expired Thursday.
Protests have snowballed in recent days culminating in Saturday's gathering, where demonstrators carried banners demanding the resignation of President Lee.
South Korea's Yonhap news agency said Saturday's demonstration was the largest since mass candlelit protests began a week earlier in Seoul and several other cities across the country.
The demonstrations intensified as Agriculture Minister Chung Woon-Chun on Thursday unveiled new rules on imports and for the inspection of US beef, which is expected to go on sale here in the week ahead. - AFP/ir
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