In a bid to ward off a domestic political crisis, South Korea on Friday sent Trade Minister Kim Jong Hoon to Washington to seek additional talks with the US on a controversial beef import deal, according to dpa. Kim's trip comes three days after the entire cabinet and Prime Minister Han Seung Soo, in an unprecedented move, made a collective offer to resign after a government deal to lift a ban on US beef imports had led to massive street protests. Before his departure, Kim said he wanted to negotiate with US trade envoy Susan Schwab new import criteria for US beef products. Among others, Seoul wants to get a ban on imports of meat derived from cattle more than 30 months old. But Seoul was not seeking a complete re-negotiation of the agreement with the US as demanded by many South Koreans. The new talks come in the wake of massive protests against the deal negotiated by the government, culminating in Premier Han himself admitting on Tuesday, "We are fully responsible for the crisis that was caused by the imported US beef issue." Hundreds of thousands of South Koreans have taken to the streets in mass protests against the decision made in April by President Lee Myung Bak to allow US beef imports despite popular concern about mad cow disease. Meanwhile the publish broadcaster KBS, citing presidential office sources, reported Friday that a cabinet reshuffle could take place next week. After only four months in office, public support for President Lee has plunged to around 20 per cent.
