2008 US beef protest in South Korea

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The 2008 US beef protest in South Korea was a series of protest demonstrations made between 24 May 2008 and mid August 2008.^[1] against president Lee Myung-bak in Seoul, Korea.^[2] The protest involved several hundred thousand^[2][3] and at its height up to one million people.^[4] The protest began after the South Korean government reversed a ban on US beef imports. The ban had been in place since December 2003, when mad cow disease was detected in US beef cattle.^[2][3]

The protests occurred on a background of talks concerning the US-Korea free trade agreement. Critics accused the move as an attempt by the Korean government to please the US government.^[2]

Local media also criticized the government's attempt. An example of this is the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) PD Note program "Is American Beef Really Safe from Mad Cow Disease? (긴급취재, 미국산 쇠고기, 과연 광우병에서 안전한가)" televised on 27 April 2008.^[5]

Lee Myung-bak's popularity plummeted after the decision and protests.^[2]