2008 US beef protest in South Korea

Protesters lit up their candles in downtown Seoul, 3 May 2008.
A close up picture of Candle-light girl, an iconic character created by protest organizers. The slogan reads, "All candles together, till our goals achieved". Photo taken in front of Seoul City Hall on 6 June 2008.

The 2008 US beef protest in South Korea was a series of protest demonstrations between 24 May 2008 and about 18 July 2008 in Seoul, Korea. At its height, the protest involved tens of thousands of people. The protest began after the South Korean government reversed a ban on US beef imports. The ban had been in place since December 2003, when the prion responsible for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or 'mad cow disease' was detected in US beef cattle.[1] The protests occurred on a background of talks concerning the US-Korea free trade agreement. Unrest was fanned by local media reports such as the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) PD Notebook program, "Is American Beef Really Safe from Mad Cow Disease?" televised on 27 April 2008.[2]

Background

Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare degenerative and fatal neurological disease in humans caused by prion organisms. Prions are usually transmitted by consuming flesh (especially neurological tissue and offal) of infected animals. Similarly, BSE can be transmitted to cattle who are fed animal meal (the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned this practice in 1997).[3] The prion that causes BSE can be transmitted to humans, where it can cause a type of CJD called new variant CJD (vCJD). No vCJD cases have been linked to the rare cases of BSE detected in US beef cattle.[4]

Origin of the protest

2003

On 23 December 2003, a first case of BSE in the US was found in Washington state. The Holstein cow had been imported from Canada in 2001. On 9 December the 6.5-year-old cow was slaughtered. The cow was a "downer" (a cow that is unable to walk). For that reason, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) was automatically notified; and the cow was examined before and after its death by a government vet. The vet determined that the cow was suffering from complications of calving. Samples of tissue were taken for further testing for BSE. Parts of the cow with a high risk of transmitting the BSE prion were removed but may have been sent for "inedible rendering" into food for non-ruminant animals. The carcass itself was allowed to continue on for further processing into human food at other facilities. On 23 December 2003 when tests proved positive for BSE, a recall was made. The contaminated meat had not entered the commercial market. Offspring of the cow were destroyed.[5] South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan banned imports of US beef.[6] The head of the US FDA at the time was Ann M. Veneman, a former lobbyist for the food industry.[7]

2006

By 2006, sixty-five nations had full or partial restrictions on the importation of US beef. Export sales of US beef fell from $3.8 billion in 2003 to $1.4 billion in 2005.[8] An attempt to reopen the South Korean market to US beef imports in 2006 (restricted to boneless meat from cattle less than 30 months old) failed when the South Korean government discovered bone chips in a shipment of 3.2 tons of meat.[9] Sporadic attempts made in the following year also failed for similar reasons.[10]

2008 – Lee's reversal of the beef import ban

On 17 January 2008 representatives of the president of South Korea met with Alexander Vershbow, the U.S. ambassador to South Korea to discuss beef imports.[11] Further talks were held between 11 and 17 April 2008. On 18 April U.S. and South Korean negotiators reached an agreement on the sanitary rules that Korea would require of U.S. beef imports. The agreement allowed imports of all cuts of U.S. beef (both boneless and bone-in) and certain beef products, including those from cattle over 30 months old. Processors had to remove material known to risk BSE prion transmission.[12] President Lee visited President George W. Bush at Camp David on 20 April 2008. The U.S. reported,

"President Bush welcomed the decision of the Korean government to resume the import of U.S. beef, based on international standards and science. The two presidents pledged to make every effort to urge their respective legislatures to approve the KORUS FTA (Korean US Free trade agreement) within this year."[13]

Demonstrators accused Lee of reversing the ban on imports of U.S. beef in haste, giving the U.S. unwarranted concessions, so that Korea would receive a favorable reception, particularly with respect to ratifying the proposed free trade agreement. The demonstrators said Lee had abandoned his duty of care to the people of South Korea for political gain by ignoring their concern about BSE prion transmission and by lowering tariffs on imported beef.[14][15] Korea agreed to remove a 40% tariff on beef muscle meat imported from the U.S. for a period of 15 years. Korea could however, impose temporary tariffs if there was a surge of U.S. beef imports above specified levels.[16]

MBC "PD Notebook" program

On 27 April 2008, MBC televised a program called "Is American Beef Really Safe from Mad Cow Disease?" The program precipitated mass demonstrations. After a complaint was received from the South Korean agriculture ministry, the Seoul central prosecutors' office formed a team of five to investigate the program's content.[17]

Downer cows

Downer cows are animals presented for slaughter that are sick or unable to walk. One of many causes for a downer is BSE. MBC was criticised for broadcasting footage of downer cows with translated subtitles that suggested they suffered from BSE, whereas they were filmed because of animal cruelty concerns, not BSE.[18]

Aretha Vinson

Aretha Vinson was a 21-year-old student at Virginia state university. She died on 9 April 2008 of Wernicke's encephalopathy.[19] The MBC broadcast showed footage of Vinson's mother speaking about her daughter's illness. Translated subtitles suggested Vinson had vCJD, but that was only one initial diagnostic possibility.

Risk of US beef to South Korea

Concerns that some commentators raised about the program included, MBC's statements about a genetic vulnerability of Koreans to CJD;[20] the US exporting cattle over 30 months old to Korea rather than selling it to the domestic market;[21] and, the risk of contracting CJD by consuming beef products such as powdered soup base in instant noodles, cosmetics, and gelatin medication.[22]

Reaction to "PD Notebook"

Demonstrations involving tens of thousands of people began shortly after the first broadcast, and increased when MBC aired another segment two weeks later.

Korean communications commission

MBC became the subject of legal action. On 12 August 2008, the Korea Communications Commission called for MBC to apologise to the public over misrepresentations made in the PD notebook program.[23] MBC apologised a two-minute broadcast, saying,

"We would like to offer a sincere apology to our viewers (over the report)."

MBC conceded that six translation errors had been made and that downer cattle had been mistakenly identified as suffering from BSE.[24]

MBC versus Government

The government of South Korea directed its prosecutors office to investigate alleged actions of the MBC including mis-representations made by the PD Notebook program; aggravation of civil unrest; and, defamation of the minister for agriculture. In June 2009, four producers and one writer were indicted on the charges.[25] In January 2010, the MBC staff were exonerated by judges of the Seoul central district court.[26] The supreme court upheld the findings.[27]

"Candlelight" demonstrations

Stacked shipping containers in downtown Seoul blocking Sejong avenue, which leads to the South Korean Presidential residence the Blue House. Photo taken on 12 June 2008.
Mass protesters occupied Seoul Plaza in front of Seoul City Hall. Photo taken on 6 June 2008.
Internet news media Ohmynews is broadcasting live protest in the street.

Some commentators argue that there is a long held and perpetual "culture of protest" in South Korea involving groups ranging from anarchists to social reformers.[28] Anti US beef protests began on 24 May 2008. After the MBC PD Notebook broadcast, the US beef protests in Seoul increased. A three-day demonstration held in relay took place from 5 June 2008 to 7 June 2008.[29] Attendance peaked on the evening of 10 June 2008, (80,000 protestors in attendance) before declining.[30] (Photographs depicting the demonstrations from "Reuters", "Getty Images" and "AFP" are published here.)

Influence of social media

Internet and text messaging also assisted in publicising the movement. With ready access to social media, among the first to protest were teenage schoolgirls. A teenage schoolgirl holding a lit candle became the symbol of the anti-US beef protests.[31] Comments made by some protestors had little basis in science.[32]

The demonstrators

After the initial demonstration, the area in front of Seoul's city hall, as well as the adjoining streets, were occupied by demonstrators. Early in the protest, a festival like atmosphere prevailed as protesters of all walks of life, built a makeshift tent city on the lawn at Seoul Plaza.[33] However, some massive, disruptive and sometimes aggressive demonstrations and street marches were held each night, particularly at weekends.[34] Thus, the protest had two faces: more peaceful during the day and more violent at night.[35] About 200 protestors required hospital treatment.[36]

Police action

On 1 June 2008, police took action to control demonstrators. Buses and shipping containers were used to halt the progress of street marches. A barrier of shipping containers were erected across Sejong-Ro to stop marchers from reaching Cheongwadae (office and residence of the president). The protestors named the barrier, "Myung-bak's Fortress" and decorated it with leaflets and large Korean flags. They photographed themselves standing on the barrier. It was dismantled several days later without conflict.[37] Water cannons were used to suppress protestors. Some demonstrators were detained for questioning.[38][39] The Amnesty International report on the human rights aspects of the demonstrations is published here. The report said,

" The protests were for the most part peaceful and given its size and duration, both the protesters and the police showed notable organization and restraint. However, there were sporadic incidents of violence, as riot police and protesters clashed. The two main flashpoints of violence occurred on 31 May/1 June, when the police first used water cannons and fire extinguishers, and 28/29 June, the weekend following the government's announcement that US beef imports would resume. The decision to use water cannons and fire extinguishers contributed to the mass resignation of all 14 members of the Korean National Police Agency's human rights committee."[40]

Effects of the protests

A fast food restaurant in Seoul reassuring customers that they are using "clean beef from Australia".

Korean government

The approval rating of Lee fell below 20%. Prime Minister Han Seung-soo and other cabinet members submitted their resignations to President Lee.[41] On 22 May and then again on 18 June 2008, Lee apologised for ignoring public health concerns.[42] Lee said,

"I should have paid attention to what people want. Sitting on a hill near Cheongwadae on the night of 10 June, watching the candlelight vigil, I blamed myself for not serving the people better.”

Lee also delayed the announcement of any further relaxation of beef importation rules, for example, importation of meat from cattle over 30 months of age.[42] On 2 July 2008, Han Seung-soo, Prime Minister of South Korea bought 260,000 Korean won (roughly US$230–$260) worth of U.S. steak to eat with his family at his official residence to alleviate public worries about U.S. beef. The same amount of Korean beef would have cost approximately 800,000 Korean won (roughly $700–$800, three times more expensive than imported U.S. beef).[43]

US

On 22 June 2008, an American trade envoy headed by Susan C. Schwab, agreed with the Korean prime minister and agriculture minister to limit the export of meat to that from carcasses of cattle less than 30 months old with government certification of their age and to allow Korea to inspect a sample of U.S. slaughterhouses. The agreement also included the banning of importation to Korea of meat from cattle organs considered high risk for transmission of the BSE prion such as brains, eyes, skulls and spinal cord. Schwab said,

"We look forward to safe, affordable, high-quality American beef – the same beef enjoyed by hundreds of millions of U.S. consumers and people in countries around the world – soon arriving on Korean tables."[44]

Tom Casey, deputy spokesman at the U.S. State Department rejected the notion that the U.S. had bullied S. Korea into removing the 2003 ban on U.S. beef imports and said,

"(The U.S. and S. Korea) have a long history of military and security cooperation. I don't think this or any other individual issues are going to change the fundamental relations (between the two countries)."[45]

From December 2009 to December 2010 the US meat export federation (USMEF) used a 3 phase project called, "To trust". It was an image campaign, designed to increase the trust of Koreans in US beef. It depicted three women who were mothers and homemakers. One was a rancher, one a scientist and one a food safety inspector.[46]

Hi! Seoul festival

In 2009, a small number of demonstrators commemorated the anniversary of the 2008 protests. They forcibly occupied the Hi! Seoul Festival stage in front of the city hall in central Seoul. The police removed the protestors.[47]

Commentators

Kim Dae-joong (not to be confused with former Korean President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Kim Dae-jung), a columnist at the Korea Times, wrote in his editorial piece: "It amounts to double-crossing to be really fond of America in all substantive matters, while bad-mouthing America in public protests."[48]

US beef imports in South Korea

On 1 July 2008, U.S. beef imports resumed. In 2009, the US exported 141 million lbs of beef to South Korea worth $215 million.[49]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Thousands in S Korea beef protest". BBC news. 5 July 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  2. ↑ "MBC's overdue apology". Korea Times. 25 June 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  3. ↑ Did BSE announcements reduce beef purchases? US department of agriculture, economic research service. Access 11 June 2012.
  4. ↑ Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, fact sheet, World Health Organisation (WHO). 22 February 2011. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  5. ↑ "Bovine spongiform encephalopathy in a dairy cow – Washington State, 2003". 9 January 2004. Morbidity and mortality weekly report, 52(53);1280–1285. Centre for disease control and prevention. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  6. ↑ "Countries move to ban U.S. beef" CNN International. 24 December 2003. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  7. ↑ "Bad cow disease." Krugman, Paul. 13 June 2008. New York Times Accessed 11 June 2012.
  8. ↑ "Mad cow watch goes blind." Editorial, USA Today 3 August 2006. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  9. ↑ "Second Shipment of U.S. Beef Rejected." 2 December 2006. Thebeefsite.com. Farm week. 5M enterprises. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  10. ↑ "S. Korea, U.S. to hold technical meeting on U.S. beef." 30 April 2007. Thebeefsite.com. Farm week. 5M enterprises. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  11. ↑ "Lee made beef deal before Bush talks in 2008." Igiauer, Phillip, 9 June 2011. Korea Times, National desk. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  12. ↑ "U.S.-South Korea Beef Dispute: Issues and Status." Jurenas, Remy (Specialist in Agricultural Policy) and Manyin, Mark E. (Specialist in Asian Affairs). 23 September 2010. Congressional research service. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  13. ↑ "Full Text of S. Korea-U.S. Summit Statement" 20 April 2008. The Asia Foundation. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  14. ↑ "Question and answer: South Korea beef protests" BBC news. 25 June 2008. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  15. ↑ "Lee made beef deal before Bush talks in 2008" Igiauer, Phillip, Korea Time, National desk. 9 June 2011. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  16. ↑ "The proposed U.S.-South Korea free trade agreement (KORUS FTA): provisions and implications" 17 October 2008. Cooper W. et al. Congressional research service report. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  17. ↑ "Prosecutors expanding probe into TV report". Ser, Myo-ja, staff reporter. 27 June 2008. Korea Joongang Daily. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  18. ↑ "Prosecutors say PD Diary deliberately twisted facts." Ser, Myo-ja, staff reporter. 30 July 2008. Retrieved 12 June 2008.
  19. ↑ "Woman on 'PD Diary' did not die of mad cow." 7 April 2009. "Food safety information website". Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  20. ↑ "Mad cow thesis twisted out of all proportion." Editorial. 9 May 2008. The Chosunilbo English edition. Retrieved 16 June 2012
  21. ↑ "The medium is the monster." Yang, Sang-hoon. 7 May 2008. The Chosunilbo English edition. Retrieved 16 June 2012
  22. ↑ "What to do about media fabrications." Editorial. 27 June 2008. The Chosunilbo Accessed 16 June 2012
  23. ↑ "MBC offers apology over US beef report." Korea Times 13 August 2008. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  24. ↑ "MBC offers apology over US beef report." Korea Times. Asia media archives. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  25. ↑ "South Korea – Amnesty International Report 2010." Accessed 13 June 2012.
  26. ↑ "Court declares MBC not guilty on mad cow report in 2008." Park, Si-soo staff reporter. 20 January 2010. The Korea Times. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  27. ↑ "Supreme Court clears 'PD Notebook' of distortion." Bae, Ji-sook. Korea Herald. 9 February 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  28. ↑ "Gusts of popular feeling" eBlogger, 13 June 2008. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  29. ↑ "Citizens, students, unionists start 3-day rally." Kang, Shin-woo. 5 June 2008. Korea Times. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  30. ↑ "No more U.S. beef: 80-thousand people protested against U.S. beef in Seoul." 6 November 2008. ABC news. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  31. ↑ "Ill met by candlelight" 12 June 2008. The Economist. Retrieved 14 June 2012
  32. ↑ "South Korean Internet catches "mad cow madness"" Jon Herskovitz and Rhee So-eui. Reuters. 13 June 2008. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  33. ↑ "Gone is solemnity at rallies" Kim, Rahn. Staff reporter. Korea Times 6 June 2008. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  34. ↑ "Seoul plaza suffering under mass rallies" 15 June 2008. Korea Times. Retrieved 14 June 2012
  35. ↑ "Anti-US beef rallies have two faces." Kim, Rahn. Korea times. 8 June 2008. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  36. ↑ "Over 200 injured in S. Korea beef protests." AFP. 29 June 2008. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  37. ↑ "Container barricade draws spotlight." Park, Si-soo. 11 June 2008. Korea times. Retrieved 15 June 2008.
  38. ↑ "Rally against a beef import agreement brings clashes with police." World business. Associated press. 25 May 2008. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  39. ↑ "Container barricade blocks demonstrators." Kim, Tae-jong. 10 June 2008. Korea times Accessed 15 June 2012.
  40. ↑ "Policing the candlelight protests in South Korea". Amnesty International. 25 August 2008. Retrieved 15 June 2012
  41. ↑ "S. Korean cabinet offers to quit after beef protests" Choe, Sang-hun. 10 June 2008. The New York Times Accessed 15 June 2012
  42. 1 2 "South Korea delays resumption of U.S. beef imports." Reuters. 2 June 2008. Retrieved 15 June 2008.
  43. ↑ "Seoul struggles to defuse US beef imports." Fifield, Anna. Financial Times. 2 July 2008. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  44. ↑ "South Korea and US reach deal on beef imports." Choe, Sang-hun. 22 June 2008. New York Times Accessed 15 June 2012
  45. ↑ "US reconfirms strong alliance with S. Korea despite beef crisis." 1 July 2008. The Korea Times Accessed 15 June 2012
  46. ↑ "Free trade agreement will support US beef recovery in South Korea." Halstrom, Dan. Senior vice president of global marketing & communications – U.S. meat export federation. Beef issues quarterly 2012. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  47. ↑ "Hi Seoul' opening hit by protests from past." Jang, Joo-young and Lee, Min-yong. 4 May 2009. Retrieved 15 June 2012
  48. ↑ "beef and anti-Americanism." Huer, John. The Korea times 25 May 2008. Retrieved 15 June 2012
  49. ↑ "U.S. beef and cattle industry: background statistics and information." 25 April 2012. Economic Research Service. United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 15 June 2012

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