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Tens of thousands of young internet-obsessed South Koreans, whipped into a frenzy by alarmist television programmes, a complex scientific paper on genetics and a hyperactive online rumour-mill, have held candlelit vigils protesting against imports of American beef.
Believing that the meat carries a high risk of BSE and that Koreans are genetically predisposed to contracting the linked Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, the online masses have taken to the streets, cursing America and demanding that their Government should act to avert catastrophe.
Two features of the protests have caught the authorities, the Government and teachers offguard.
The first is that, unlike the mobs that have contributed to South Korea's long history of street rallies, more than half of the demonstrators are below university age.
Some teachers approve of the rallies, others condemn them, but all agree that their students are spending too much time in cyberspace.
The second is the virulence of the xenophobia on and offline: despite sweeping to power on a more foreigner-friendly ticket, Lee Myung Bak, South Korea's new President, leads a country with substantial anti-American feeling.
Behind the fury and panic is the decision made last month by Mr Lee to allow US-produced beef back into the country after a five-year hiatus.
South Korea, with other Asian nations, suspended imports in 2003 after cattle in the US were found to have BSE: the protesters are convinced that the ban has been lifted too soon and with too many concessions to Washington.
On the many new BSE-related websites that have sprung-up in the last week, the language is little short of hysterical. Pseudo-science, anti-Americanism and teenage angst have produced a staggering volume of web traffic.
“Are we fated to die so young?” wailed a typical post. “I just want to live and fulfill my career dreams, not die mad like an American cow,” wrote another.
Over the past couple of days, virtually every teenager in Seoul has received the same text message on mobile phones, “Schools closed next Thursday”.
The information is bogus, but authorities are steeling themselves for street demonstrations on the grandest scale. By the weekend the protesters' numbers are expected to rise tenfold.
The BSE scare has already made its practical effects felt. After a two month honeymoon period in power, Mr Lee has approval ratings below 30 per cent.
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My goodness... candle zombies've ruined our image...
even though I;m Korean, I don't like them at all. It's not democracy. Just going somewhere famous and standing up
with candles... What's worse is there was no peaceful very often. So humiliating. Geez...
Joon, seoul, S.Korea
Hi i'm korean. and i'm not good at english but i want to tell the truth. It's not just mad cow. It's to protect democracy.. In 6/10 There are more 500,000 people to say their thoughts in Seoul City Hall. but government never listen. What if government will announce something much worse than this?
kim, seoul,
Europe has mad cow disease throughout europe,whats your point? Not one case of mad coow disease has been documented in usa.Granted a cow which was imported from canada had mad cow disease.Fresh cuts of meat and not spine and certain organs will have no effect on a person.beef safer than dog meat.
daniel, calgary,
Not all beef is under 30 months old which is sent to korea.Fact: importers of american beef will pay for finer cuts of beef.To say all the beef sent to korea is beef americans wont eat is propaganda and straight out lies.
daniel, calgary,
A whole country that still believes in fan death...
If their protests were well-founded, I would praise them. As it is, their fears seem ridiculous. And, politically and economically, they are asking their own president to reverse a decision that was to the entire country's benefit.
Ann, Seoul, South Korea
you must have treated this matter with more information of korean's circusmstance. otherwise highly appriciated and trusted reputations on your newpaper will be destroyed.
bcoz The facts is truth always. your gerverment already made a mistakes, so have been paying for your people's money.
simon song, seoul, korea
The koreans are 1000% correct in NOT wanting our beef. europe gladly pays a fine for NOT importing u.s. beef. read the food revolution by john robbins and get your facts. u.s. food is the worst in the world..ever....
mary, nyc, usa
There have been 3 reported instances of mad cow disease in the U.S. and over 3,239 lightning deaths in the U.S. during the same time period. S. Koreans' fears are irrational and their protests are motivated by a sense of wounded pride that they are receiving slightly less healthy beef than Americans
Samuel Lee, Snellville, U.S.A.
Some US citizens in Korea seem to have an idea that this protest mainly comes from anti US sentiment in Korea. But it has little things with US, we are just so dissappointed and upset about Mr. Lee's inablility in foreign trade affairs and arrogance of not listening to any other voices.
Min, Kyung hwa, Suwon, Korea
For those of you who think the US does not eat beef over 30 months old you may not want to go and eat at McDonalds, Burger King, Outback, Golden Corral and etc. We only ban meat from human food supply from downer cattle. US food is the safest in the world. Stop knee jerking to misguided fools.
JJ, Ada OK, USA
Ok Ban selling beef to Soth Korea, that reduces demand and lowers price. I like it. We win and they get happy in their health and delerium.
Keith Marshall, Mesa Arizona, USA
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