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Rice said the resumption of U.S. beef exports had become a major political issue for both Congress and dairy farmers. She said she hoped Korea will lift the beef import ban "without further delay", a Foreign Ministry official quoted Rice as having told Ban.

Ban reportedly replied, "We're thinking in the direction of resuming imports as soon as possible, though a judgement will be made purely based on scientific factors. Let's wait and see the outcome of the current meeting of experts from the two countries."

Korea banned the import of U.S. beef in 2003 following an outbreak of BSE or mad cow disease in the States.

(englishnews@chosun.com )