July 11, 2008

South Korea to investigate resumed US beef imports

South Korea's new parliament agreed Thursday (July 10) to investigate government negotiations with the US on resumed beef imports, as it convened for the first time since an opposition boycott.

The investigation was a demand from the main opposition Democratic Party to end its boycott of the National Assembly, which had not convened since lawmakers started a four-year term on May 30.

The governing Grand National Party agreed earlier this week to accept an inquiry, and Parliament is to be formally opened Friday, when Lee will address lawmakers.

The opposition said that the beef deal, struck in April and amended last month, is flawed because it could expose the country to mad cow disease.

The presidential office is subject to the investigation, along with the Agriculture Ministry and Foreign Ministry.

The new Parliament also agreed to form five other special committees, including one that will deal with an opposition demand that the country's livestock epidemic prevention law be revised to strengthen precautions against mad cow disease.

South Korea was the third-largest overseas market for US beef until it banned imports after a case of mad cow disease was detected in 2003, the first of three confirmed cases in the US.