Hundreds hurt in S. Koreans beef protest

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The rally turned violent after some protesters used ropes to try todrag away police buses being used as barricades to block the way tothe presidential Blue House.
Riot police immediately fired water cannons and sprayed fireextinguishers to repel the protesters, and also used clubs andshields against the crowd.
Several hundred protesters were hurt during the rally thatcontinued into Sunday morning, according to a coalition of civicgroups that has organized weeks of demonstrations.
Police said the clash left more than 100 riot police injured. About50 protesters were arrested on charges of assaulting police andillegally occupying streets.
Activists have staged daily rallies on the streets of the capitalto voice fears about the possible health risks of U.S. beef, suchas mad cow disease. As officials began inspecting U.S. beef onFriday, hundreds of labor activists blocked customs storagefacilities.
Justice Minister Kim Kyung-han said in statement televisednationally Sunday that that the government will crack down againstfuture violent protests. Officials could take measures such as theuse of liquid tear gas, which has been banned in South Korea since1999.
He said authorities will also chase, arrest and punish those whohave spearheaded violent demonstrations, which he said havedeveloped into a broader opposition to major government policyagendas.
Jang Dae-hyun, a spokesman for the protest group, said policeshould cease the harsh methods used against demonstrators toprevent further violence. "We've been supporting peaceful rallies,but the police crackdown is too harsh," Jang said.
The beef issue topped the agenda when Secretary of StateCondoleezza Rice met South Korean officials during her visit toSeoul as part of an Asian tour. She flew to China on Sunday.
"I want to assure everyone that American beef is safe," Rice told anews conference with South Korea's foreign minister, Yu Myung-hwan."We will continue to work with you to have consumer confidence inthat matter."
About 15 sign-carrying protesters gathered outside the South KoreanForeign Ministry, where Rice met with Yu.
"Rice, go home," they chanted. Placards said, "Stop Rice and MadCow," and "We Don't Need U.S. Troops. We Don't Need Mad Cows."
U.S. beef has been banned since late 2003, when the first case ofmad cow disease in the U.S. was discovered. In the wake of publicoutrage over plans to resume shipments of American beef, the SouthKorean Cabinet offered to resign and the president reshuffled topadvisers.