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SEOUL : South Korea has decided to put off the implementation of its decision to resume US beef imports.
The agriculture ministry on Monday said this is in response to widespread protests.
South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak's popularity rating has dropped sharply since his decision in April to fully lift the ban on the imports.
As he marks his 100 days in office this week, he is facing pressure to revamp his cabinet.
For nearly a month, South Koreans have held daily protests against the government's decision to allow US beef into the country.
At first, there were peaceful candle-light vigils by Koreans concerned about the possibility of catching mad-cow disease from US beef.
But as the new government of President Lee showed no signs of backing down, those gatherings turned into anti-government rallies, with police firing water-cannons to disperse crowds and protesters fighting back.
And now, the rallies are not just about US beef.
Chin Sang Jin, Professor of Sociology, Sogang University, said, "Apart from the issue of importing US beef and the concerns over mad-cow disease, protesters are coming out to the streets because they believe most of the policies taken by the government of Lee Myung Bak are not going to make people happy."
South Koreans are unhappy about the rise in living costs due to the high fuel and food prices.
President Lee won the presidential election with the largest margin ever in South Korea on his pledge to revive the economy.
But his handling of the beef agreement with the United States has seen his popularity drop to levels near 20 percent.
And the beef issue has emerged as the biggest political challenge for his government as South Koreans remain determined to fight his decision to bring in US beef.
Kim Hyung Joon, Professor at Myeongji University, said, "What he should have done was to reassure the people it was safe and make them understand, instead of taking this attitude of 'this is right and no matter what, it will be pursued'. It was not a practical move."
And though President Lee may reshuffle his cabinet, experts said that will not be enough to calm the growing public resentment.
He needs to come up with something more practical fast as the protesters show no sign of giving up. - CNA/ms
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