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Korea's opposition political parties continued their charge against the government's decisionto resume imports of U.S. beef despite the Lee Myung-bak administration's efforts to dispel growing public fear over its safety.
Floor leaders of the United Democratic, Liberty Forward and Democratic Labor parties met Thursday agreeing to invoke the parliamentary right to investigate the beef deal signed between Seoul and Washington last month.
During President Lee's first official visit to the U.S., the two countries decided to resume U.S. beef imports that had been halted over concerns of mad cow disease.
The three opposition parties are seeking a motion to dismiss the agricultural minister, accusing the government of failing to set enough safeguards against the disease.
The ruling Grand National Party attempted to simmer down the escalating debate by reiterating the prime minister's statement that Seoul will demand revisions to the deal should the imported beef pose any health threat.
But the opposition parties, as well as the public, do not seem satisfied, with some demanding the entire agreement be scrapped.
Imports of American beef are to begin next week, but with political parties widening their differences over its resumption, the debate is only likely to intensify in coming days.
Arirang News
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