US beef popular in South Korea despite protests

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

SEOUL (AFP) — US beef is proving increasingly popular since going back on sale in South Korea despite months of mass protests against the supposed dangers of mad cow disease, officials said Tuesday.

Over the three weeks ending Saturday, Australia shipped 16,200 tonnes, the United States 5,300 tonnes and New Zealand 4,700 tonnes, the National Veterinary and Quarantine Service said.

South Korea was once the world's third-largest market for US beef, with imports worth 850 million dollars a year until they were suspended in 2003 after a US case of mad cow disease.

Seoul's decision in April to resume imports of almost all cuts of US beef sparked months of street protests over supposed health concerns.

The sometimes violent rallies largely subsided only...