South Korea’s entire cabinet has offered to resign to dampen public uproar over the planned resumption of US beef imports. This comes as tens of thousands of protesters gathered for the largest demonstration yet opposing the policy. President Lee Myung-bak’s office has not responded to the resignations.
About 80-thousand demonstrators gathered in central Seoul on Tuesday evening waving candles and holding posters saying “Lee Myung-bak OUT”.
Police have blocked roads with shipping containers to prevent the crowd from marching to the nearby presidential Blue House.
Baek Go-eun, who’s a 23-year-old student, says she doesn’t agree with the resignations.
Baek Go-eun said, “I think it is inappropriate and irresponsible that all cabinet members offered to resign. I think the government should first listen to what people want more and try to find measures to resolve the problems.”
The appearance of Agriculture Minister Chung Woon-chun turned the rallies violent. But he didn’t make any comments.
President Lee Myung-bak’s office did not say whether he would accept the resignations in an attempt to defuse the beef crisis that has paralyzed his government since he took office less than four months ago.
The government agreed to lift almost all restrictions imposed on imports of US beef three months ago over fears of mad cow disease.
The decision sparked weeks of protests demanding the government scrap or renegotiate the beef deal amid perceptions it has not done enough to protect citizens.
Meanwhile, the US State Department has declined to comment on the resignations.
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