Hundreds of South Koreans mourn beef import 'martyr'

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

SEOUL (AFP) — Hundreds of South Koreans turned out Saturday for the funeral of a 40-year-old activist who set himself alight to protest a US beef import deal that has sparked massive demonstrations here.

Around 500 mourners, some carrying black banners and wearing black ribbons, took part in a funeral procession, marching from a hospital morgue to a square outside Seoul City Hall.

Lee Byung-Ryol died in hospital on Monday, 15 days after he doused himself with paint thinner and set himself on fire at a street rally in the southern city of Jeonju.

"I wish it had all just been a nightmare -- the resumption of US beef and my brother's death as well," said Lee's brother, Byung-Ki, in an emotional funeral address.

Activists hailed Lee as the first martyr...