Bush cancels Korea trip after mass protests over beef imports

Weeks of massive street protests in South Korea against the resumption of US beef imports have forced US President George W. Bush to cancel a trip to the country next month.
The White House had hoped Bush's visit would cement its improved ties with Seoul since the conservative Lee Myung-bak was elected president last December, after years of thorny relations with his left-leaning predecessor.
But the relationship has been complicated by Washington's efforts to end the South Korean ban on US beef that was imposed after an outbreak of "mad cow disease" among American cattle in 2003.
Bush had been expected in Seoul before or after the Group of Eight summit in Japan early next month. He accepted an invitation from Lee when the Korean president visited him in April.
The White House announced yesterday that South Korea would not be on the itinerary but said Bush still hoped to visit before he leaves office in January.
White House officials said it was possible the visit could be rescheduled for August, when the president travels to China for the Beijing Olympics.
US officials had been deliberating for weeks over whether and when Bush should go to Seoul, amid fears his presence could provide a fresh catalyst for protests.
The decision to postpone the trip came in spite of a compromise agreement on beef at the weekend, which restricts US exports to meat from cattle under 30 months old.
The two governments struck a deal in April to reopen the Korean market to US beef as part of broader efforts to ratify a bilateral free trade agreement between the military allies.
But the deal sparked a wave of protests among consumers who questioned the safety of US beef and accused President Lee of caving in to US pressure.
Lee's election was celebrated by the Bush administration because of his promise to strengthen ties with Washington and adopt a tougher approach to North Korea than his predecessor, Roh Moo-hyun.
Source: Financial Times (UK)