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

The issue in Korea is a combination of ignorance and xenophobia. I have experienced firsthand the refusal of many Koreans to acknowledge to the facts of the case.

Marc, Seoul,

Even though you are vegetarian, it counts 'cuz it's used for cosmetics and blood and so on.... Doing FTA is okay, but the fact that is really annoying Korean people is that the president didn't even talk more but just do as the president Bush told him.

Alexandra Nilla, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Not just for BSE. But Also, we are doing this for his the far right, and wrong policies. (Like privatization, Canal project)

Please Do not regard us as the unlettered masses.

Jeong -JiMin, Cheong Ju, Korea

You got the point wrong in this article. The point is that the Korean people are mad at the fact that the US is trying to sell the beef that is not consumed in the domestic market. Beef from cows over the age of 30 months is banned even for pet-comsumption in the US due to the possibility of BSE.

Jo, Portland, USA

S. Koreans are overeacting and falsely believing in rumours simply added on by random internet bloggers. They have no thoughts at all of the consequences, that US - S. Korean relations will be damaged let alone their own economy. Let's trust the facts, not the rumours.

Jen, New York, US

The Korean hysteria is based on nothing more than pseudo-science and romours. Firstly, there is no distinction in the age of beef being processed for sales within the US. The 30-month-old beef myth is based on the Alberta (Canadian) beef incident 2003. The general public in the US consumes these.

Jon, Vancouver, Canada

Why don't we give all the beef over 30months old to all the american troops based in South Korea. I wonder how happy they'd be to eat it...???

soo, seoul, korea

People who are saying that this has nothing to do with anti-Americanism is extremely naive. All of the Koreans I know who are up in arms are looking at this as an Anti American issue, not just a beef issue. They are saying that America is the big bully trying to force us to eat mad cow beef. crazy

Paul, Seoul,

Don't-eat-it-then kind of comments make me laugh. It undermines the markey economy where one is inevitably led to consume things without knowing - like cosmetics etc. And those people who link this to public stupidity and Xenophobia (including this article) should be very ashamed.

Tereze, Canberra, Australia

Unfortunate to see some American folks approach to this beef import issue emotionally. We, Koreans, want to make it absolutely clear that we are not against US beef import itself. No anti-US campagne. Rather we are incensed with our government that do not listen to its people's concerns.

Kenny JEE, Seoul, South Korea

go after some pure innocent people and hurt them. And this article is wrong in so many ways. There is no anti-American feeling in this, Lee and his party is just trying to classify this wave as an "anti-American activity" because they need something to speak with. And no, less then 50% are students

Tom, Songdo, Korea

This article is missing some key points. S. Korea has already imported U.S. beef for many years. The frenzy is regarding new agreement;importing Over 30 Month beef and some SRM parts with high risk of mad cow disease along with the loss of Korea's quarantine right. Amecians eat only safe <20 mo beef

John, Orange County, US

Mad cow diseas is world wide problem for human being. None of us want to die by vCJD with lots of pain, unable to move, walk, talk, eat as you see the evidence from the victim who have died of vCJD All of us have got right to know the truth of vCJD. Not to make joke about it. it is serious matter.

young, bournemouth, u.k

Oh My God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are U serious?? I don't understand how do you say that . your article don't mention the 30 month limit on beef sales in Korea. Can you eat that? If you're korean, could you supply the beef to your children? Kid's aren't given a choice on food at school.

sol, Dajeon, Korea

Is it just me, or is this rising tide of East Asian nationalism amongst the youth starting to get a little bit out of hand? That's China and ROK now, I guess Japan will be next..Pan-Asianism anyone?

Chris, Leeds,

Your article is very biased, showing only the views of Korean government. The newspapers you've quoted are one of the most conservative papers in Korea and playing the role of shielding the current Korean government from the criticisms. Please be neutral in reporting next time by being more selctive

Kenny JEE, Seoul, South Korea

Here's the obvious solution to the Mad Cow problem:

Become a vegetarian!

Missy Marble, Anyhoo, USA

If anyone wants to talk about this issue, he/she should know about the disease fisrt. Ins't it? If you try just a little, you can find lots of information about it on the net. Go find info and then argue. It's rare diseas, but fatal.

Janet, Changwon, South Korea

And its impact on the country and the live stock industry is huge when the disease occurs.

Janet, Changwon, South Korea

Mad cow is a fatal disease that has killed at least 163 people in England. The problem with the disease is has a long incubation period and many of the symptoms are similar to Alzheimer's and it thus difficult to identify. It is a degenerative disease that attacks the brain. Wikipedia it.

jessica, Minneapolis, USA & South Korea

The Red Cross won't allow you to donate blood if you have spent 3 months in England or 6 months in Western Europe, because of the risk of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, which is fatal.

jessica, Minneapolis, USA & South Korea

Cows over 30 months are routinely consumed in the US. The average age of consumed beef is about two-years old, but older cows are used for low-quality meats such as hamburger. At any rate, a 30-months old US cow is fine to eat whether you're American or Korean.

Max, Seoul, SK

US FDA in their paper An Evaluation of the Risk of Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease from Exposure to Cattle-Derived Protein Used in Cosmetics concluded " As a result, it may be concluded that there is some risk of occurrence of vCJD from the use of cattle-derived protein in cosmetics. "

wontaek, Duluth, USA

US FDA says it is possible to get BSE from cattle derived proteins in cosmetic. See for yourselves. ( http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~comm/bse-ra.html )

wontaek, Duluth, USA

Keith, Don't worry about price of US beef.
Much of US beef which US will export to korea would be above 30months aged cows that US consumers don't take. So, it won't reduce supply of US beef for domestic comsumers of US beef much. Everything is ok for americans.

Haru, Seoul,

I'm a Korean. This articl is not correct. It's not xenophobia that drive us on streets. US government bans feeding certain parts from cows to US pets. Koean government allows to import those parts from cows.

We Koreans just think we are more valuabie than US pets.

Han , Seoul, Korea

I was told not to eat dog meat in Korea.

Mike, Baraboo, WI

so many well-informed comments on either side, 300 characters isn't enough to debunc them all. needless to say at least the politicians are working together even if the people of each nation are too blind to see the benefits of their relationship

David, London,

Nice to see nationalistic and racial pride rearing it's ugly head once again!

Oh wait, was I talking about the Koreans or us...?

Howard, Manchester,

all take care about what we and our children ate on a daliy basis?

And from next time I expect the Times to do a better job on reporting balaned views.

EN, London, UK

So why do they simply not eat it?

Denise B, Oldbury, UK

I lived in South Korea (both Seoul and in the provinces) for more than eight years and in my experience the country, the people, have yet to mature as a nation. The presence of US forces creates a parent child relationship between Koreans and the US - we are seeing just the latest example of this.

Dave, Atlanta,

If American eat beef aged over 30 months, there is no resistance among Korean in importing American beef.
Korean people get angry because there is a possibility to get beef aged over 30 month and held dagerious materials related to mad cow imported to South Korea.

Sindy, LA, USA

Well as someone whose lived in Korea I have disagree with the posters who says 'Koreans aren't xenophobic.' Met many people over there, and loved quite a few -- but as a collective, these aren't 'protests, ' but rather paranoid super nationalist rantings against the Other.

Joe, Portland, USA

Koreans are not protesting against importing all US beef! We just don't want the dangerous beef over 30 months old, containing SRM(Specified Risk Materials). In US, this kind of beef is not used even for cats and dogs! Koreans are just expressing their rights of eating decent food.

gina, seoul,

This debate is making me hungry. The mad cow scare in the UK only meant beef got cheaper for a bit so I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it.

Rich, Santiago,

this is not xenophobic thing
and as you can see, new president is
the most foreign friendly one.
Koreans just doesn't want to eat
over 30 months old cows' beef
which is NEVER eaten in USA !!
Do you know anything about mad cow disease?
If you know abt it, you can't say they're geeks

Chloe, Brighton, UK

I have seen a couple of times on this thread that everyone should be pleased with the freedom of expression being demonstrated. However there is a fine line between the freedom to express views that are based on fact and those that are expressed on ill educated falicy based on partial truths.

Raonull MacKinnon, london, Uk

Do you have to eat beef?

steve, london,

I agree with Diana! These young people are just expressing their views by demonstration!

Rodney, don't uplift it to any economic boycott! (I hope you are just kidding)

Winifred, London,

It is NOT ABOUT XENOPHOBIC, but the ANGER ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT which gave up on its people's health by voluntarily expressing to take US beef made of more than 30 years old cattles when other developed countries import less than 20 or so aged cattle's beef due to the concern over mad cow disease.

Vivi, seoul,

U.S. beef imports, which might contain SRM , are much cheaper. It might cause irretrievable damge to Korea. I think the government try desperately to conceal the risk of mad cow disease because Seoul is afraid to admit the failed negotiations wiht the U.S. that makes the public angrier.

K.J.B, Dae Gu, South Korea

As a rancher, I can assure you American beef is safer than any. We have regualtions to insure this. Korea was importing from countries without regulation before. When I was in Korea last year, flank steak was selling at the market for about $30.00 a pound. I hope science prevails.

Stuart, Luling, USA

Freedom of expression - shouldn't USA citizens be pleased? Korean youth may be wrong, may be misinformed - but isn't this part of growing up in a democracy? At least demonstrating gets them off computer games!

Diana, derby, UK

Simple don't buy their electrical goods is Samsung etc etc

rodney, eggesford,

Why in hades are we still propping up South Korea? Forget about bringing our troops home from Iraq. We should bring them home from Korea.

Bill, Louisville, KY, USA

the point is NOT banning imports of beef , but becoming only country in the world , importing cow aged over 30 from the usa . can you eat that kind of thing or regard that as food?
Korea is not the country for bush to sell lubbish and
koreans are not xenophobes !

min, london, uk

I’m a bit confused - is someone in authority actually FORCING them to buy and eat American beef?

Sean Dunne, Louth, UK

The trouble with living in South Korea is, you are subjected to tremendous propaganda from North Korea and its agents. They target the young and are the cause of the street riots that have afflicted the country.

Ian Tinn, Slough, England

I don't understand why the US bothers to defend South Korea with troops - pull them all out for goodness sake

chris boyle, Hull, england

Consumers in Korea or anywhere else are entitled to PURE, clean food; after all , they are people TOO. Not eating red meat and becoming vegetarian is more practical and safe today; I did it for 7 years myself; still no red meat to date and it feels great.

Tommy, San Diego, USA

I'm aghast at some of the smallminded comments about how "we should let them become like North Korea" on here- that's not right. Just because some people get stirred up and emotional about a food scare doesn't necessarily mean that that represents the way everyone feels about it, on both sides.

Zach, Indianapolis, United States

Alfred North Whitehead said that without belief in God as origin and final end, science would become directionless fads. I believe it was a Scot who recently said that that is what science is tending to become, with its junk science, pseudo-science, fads--and in Korea, mixed with xenophobia.

Richard L.A. Schaefer, Dubuque,Iowa, USA

At least they don't believe in global warming....

James, Saint Paul, USA/MN

WOW! This is almost as amazing as the "Global Warming crap we hear so much about - Opps! we're supposed to believe that one.... As a Scientist and engineer, I am appalled by the sheer magnitude of ignorance here and abroad. There is NO EVIDENCE for "Global Warming" yet it is widely believed...

Martha P. Jordan, westport,, USA

Are you sure these students don't consume large amounts of sheep? Because they are sure acting like them!

Miguk Saram, tangun, USA

The irony of this is, that while there are all the protests by Koreans about American beef, here in Seoul there is an outbreak of Avian Flu from Korean birds that is going virtually unnoticed!! You've got to chuckle

Ben, Seoul, ROK

Please don't eat U.S. beef! That way, the prices here will go down and I can fill my freezer to overflowing. Or maybe I'll just have a neighborhood BBQ!!!!! Jeez...talk about "sheeple"! I guess the term "think for yourself" would be wasted on these folks.

Janet Fuls, Cottonwood, CA USA

You Americans were not saying this whilst banning UK Beef. The USA has had more problems within it's food and food supply chain than any other developed country. 100% hypocrisy, 100% junk food. I long for theys of American isolation, like a naughty child they should be seen, but not heard.

Michael Holloway, Sydney, Australia/ NSW

I live in Korea and have no probs with US beef. However

- Kids aren't given a choice on food at school
- Import agreement gives up all quarantine rights.
- Deal was struck just a day before Korean president met with Bush.

The anger is at their president who gave up quarantine just to plz Bush.

Jay, Seoul, Korea

The have McDonalds and Burger King and I bet the beef is from the USA. Go to any of these places in Seoul on a weekend and they are packed by Jr High and High school kids. The Koreans need to more concerned with the recent outbreak of Bird Flu than Mad Cow!

RJ, Seoul, Korea

I live in Korea and would pick US beef over some of the stuff they eat over here any day of the week.

Chris Forte, Geoje Island, South Korea

Korea, as a densely-populated, affluent, and cozy place, is especially vulnerable to these panics. It IS sad to know that the South Koreans, who were spared the ignomy of eating acorns and weeds, instead of American beef, by the blood of 45,000 Americans, harbor "substantial anti-American feeling."

Rusty Shackleford, Arlington, Virginia, USA

Funny isn't it. These South Korean teenagers kind of remind you of the Democrats, Left-zingers and Tin-foil Hat Wearing Global warming nut jobs we have here in the US who are always so willing to swallow a well baited hook as long as the US is the bad guy. Stop the hate and regain your sanity!

Tim, Covington, GA, USA

America needs to adopt a testing program similar to the one established by Japan; we need to test every cow at the point of slaughter. Why don't we test every animal? It cost too much? What is more important the safety of America's citizen's or a couple of dollars? Money is more important in America!

Rick, Portland, usa

Just don't eat it then, sheesh.

Will, NYC, USA

Why is the USA spending money defending these ingrates? Let's pull out all our troops and see what kind of beef they get from their brothers up North.

david, NYC, USA

I have lived in Korea for over 2 years as an English teacher.
They have a group mindset, especially High School aged kids, one moment everyone has to have a "hello kitty" backpack, and the next...it is anti US beef.

Do not read too much into this, it is a manufactored rumor,

John, Incheon, Korea

this disease is really frightening, 200 people dead worldwide in 20 years. More people die every year from tainted vegetables.

Jason, Alaska, USA

Gee, I guess America isn't the only country that has very under-educated youths, used to be university level, now it's in the elementary schools too. A perfect emulation of the hyper sensitivity, blame America 1st crowd pushed by the communist left in this country.

James, SFBay, California,

The problem is the criminal Korean middlemen who buy the U.S. beef cheaply, then distribute it on the Korean market at a greatly increased price as Korean or Australian beef. They can't trust their own people hell bent on killing them for greed. Don't blame the USA...just don't eat beef silly.

Pete's Opinion, Changwon, USA

Hey Koreans - if I were you, I'd worry more about food from anywere but the USA. The "Mad Cow" or BSE has been MUCH more of a problem in Europe and Canada than the US. Of course you could always switch to that great North Korean or Chinese beef - no problems there, ever! Mmmmmm!!!

ron , nyc,

I'm extremely happy that the South Koreans don't want US beef. That leaves more for us and...maybe the price of a steak will drop to more reasonable levels.

I currently own two Hyundai automobiles but will have to think real hard to justify buying another.

Frank Mac, Batavia, US

As a Korean-American, I've been consuming U.S. beef for a while now and can't say my genes have yet failed me to a point of bovine-induced insanity. The fact is, Koreans have this unfortunate nationalistic streak that looks cultish at best, and downright ugly at its worst.

Oh wait, I must be mad.

Steve, Los Angeles, USA

Keep your dammed hyundais and Kias and we will keep our beef. An Arkansas cattle grower

Jeff Moser, Rogers Ar, 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