Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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July 2, 2008

Clergy, Labor Unions Add Layers to South Korea's Beef Protests 
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1CF4531:A6F02AD83191E160EA8DC346C9BD0053F47489ACC27D21EE&
 
Many South Koreans believe US beef is tainted with brain-consuming mad
cow disease, despite relative lack of hard scientific data 
South Korean religious groups have temporarily taken over leadership of
protests against the resumption of American beef imports, calling for
peace and police restraint. At the same time, South Korea's biggest
labor union group has begun a strike and says its members will join
protesters in the streets. VOA's Kurt Achin has more from Seoul.Striking
union workers of South Korea's Hyundai Motors shout slogans at plant in
Ulsan, south of Seoul, 02 Jul 2008South Korean protests against U.S.
beef imports have been an almost nightly fixture in Seoul for some two
months now - but some of this week's gatherings seemed a lot like a
church service.Protesters - some of them wearing white veils customary
among South Korean Catholics - sang "peace, peace, because I serve
God."Religious leaders have been at the forefront of the the protests,
this week, lacing the gatherings heavily with symbols of worship. Their
stewardship of the demonstrations is expected to end Friday, with a g!
 athering presided over by Buddhist leaders.Many South Koreans believe
U.S. beef is tainted with the brain-consuming mad cow disease, despite a
relative lack of hard scientific data. The protests have dwindled in
numbers, but become more physical in recent weeks. Last weekend,
hundreds of South Koreans were injured in clashes with police connected
to the beef protests. Religious leaders accuse police of using excessive
force. They are invoking their public role to call for restraint. Some
of them are openly backing the protesters, while others use religious
language implying support.A Catholic priest called upon Jesus Christ to
heal those who were hurt and to give everyone gathered the strength to
fight against injustice.Separately, the Korean Confederation of Trade
Unions, began a partial nationwide strike, Wednesday, in solidarity with
the beef protesters.The group said more than 130,000 workers would walk
off the job, including about 30,000 union members employed !
 by Hyundai Motors.KCTU President Lee Seok-heang says members are exerc
ising a democratic right, in service of the public.He says the strikers
want to preserve public health, which he calls a key ingredient for
production. He says they also want to protect children from what he
describes as the "risk" of American beef.Lee says thousands of labor
union workers will travel to Seoul, later this week, to join several
days of anti-government protests over the U.S. beef issue.Lee downplays
warnings from leaders and economists that ongoing unrest risks damaging
South Korea's long term economic prospects. South Korea's prime minister
said this week the protests are discouraging investment and damaging
South Korea's trade credibility.South Korea's parliament remains
paralyzed by a boycott led by political opponents of President Lee
Myung-bak, who made the April deal to resume American beef
imports.Despite opposition, U.S. beef did go back on sale this week here
in South Korea after clearing final legal loopholes, last month. One of
the few retaile!
 rs daring enough to advertise the beef says sales are brisk- with 400
kilograms leaving the shop since Tuesday. 


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