The US Ministry of Agriculture confirmed on April 24 that BSE, or mad cow disease, had once again been discovered in cattle in central California. Despite concern in South Korea that it would be unsafe to continue consuming beef imported from America, on April 25 the South Korean government confirmed that imports of beef would continue unhindered. This has become one of the hottest topics online, and has attracted the attention of thousands of netizens, who have beef with the government’s decision to take no action.
Mad cows have made the news in South Korea before. In 2008, the Lee Myung Bak administration had promised that should BSE be discovered in the US, then imports would immediately cease. But now it appears that the beef curtain has risen once again, leading to criticism from citizens that the government has abandoned its right to quarantine imports. As a result, large supermarket chains and restaurants have decided to temporarily stop selling or using American beef.
However the government maintains that regarding the current crazy cattle crisis, no further action is necessary. Yeo In-hong, the head of food product policy in the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, stated on the 25th that
Regarding the imports of beef, the US will strengthen quarantine measures. We have requested a detailed report concerning cows [infected with] BSE from the Americans[…] We are concerned about trade conflicts, and we will not institute import restrictions such as quarantine and interruption of trade
The government stance in 2008 was somewhat different, when candle-light rallies held throughout the nation resulted in an embargo on imports of American beef to reassure Koreans following the very public outrage that the government was more concerned with currying favour with the US than it was with the health of its citizens. Now that the election is over, many netizens are once again having a cow over the administration’s decision to stay with the herd over US imports.
Comments from Daum:
줄리안:
If mad cow disease is a health concern, then they shouldn’t oppose the import of US beef, rather isn’t it necessary that we should worry about more basic things? If it is a health risk, then it is right that we insist that just as in Japan and the UK, there is a full investigation of all beef products including cattle, and not only imported beef but the circulation of all beef within Korea. After doing a survey of all cattle, if there are cows which are a problem, they shouldn’t import them, and if by chance there is a problem with Korean beef, we shouldn’t eat it. It’s being insisted that really it’s for the benefit of our health, but since the election is close, there are plenty of bastards who do dirty things and who’ll try to use it politically. Dirty bastards.
제레미안:
Though now that they’ve found another [infected cow] America is also carrying out a thorough investigation, haven’t they tried thinking about unconditionally interrupting imports?
트래비스:
Oh My! People oriented towards Daum and Hankyoreh have started the BSE rumour again, I see. Inciting a candle-lit vigil oooooooooo I bet they’re wetting their pants…
고르곤졸라:
Before talking trash like this, you should first find out the facts properly.There are so many pathetic people about…If you blame others, you should first know that it’ll come back to you ~~~~
박성수:
There has never been a crazier cow administration that Lee Myung-bak’s…
구름이:
Let’s eat it…we even did well at the election…give plenty to people in Gyeongsang province…Let’s eat it…we even did well at the election…give plenty to people in Gyeongsang province….Let’s eat it…we even did well at the election…give plenty to people in Gyeongsang province….Let’s eat it…we even did well at the election…give plenty to people in Gyeongsang province….Let’s eat it…we even did well at the election…give plenty to people in Gyeongsang province….Let’s eat it…we even did well at the election…give plenty to people in Gyeongsang province….Let’s eat it…we even did well at the election…give plenty to people in Gyeongsang province….Let’s eat it…we even did well at the election…give plenty to people in Gyeongsang province….Let’s eat it…we even did well at the election…give plenty to people in Gyeongsang province….Let’s eat it…we even did well at the election…give plenty to people in Gyeongsang province….
안개:
They’re crazy! They said on CNN, didn’t they? That there are three nations in Asia that import US beef, and that the problem is biggest in Korea. The Japanese said they weren’t importing weird cows for twenty months…
Angel:
My fellow countrymen! Get your candles once again and this time definitely! Let’s get rid of that bastard swindler Lee Myung Bak
정승철:
In the capital, it’s best if Park Won-soon avoided ceasing trade, and in Gyeonggi province after the resignation of Kim Moon-soo, it’s best if they avoid electing someone from the opposition party in the by-election. But Gyeongsang province they are thankful for American produced cattle, and eat it, but anyway it makes to difference really if their brains rot because of BSE. In this situation, there’s no way that those who voted for the bird-shit party [pun on Saenuri Party] are right in the head.
봄이여 오세요:
Sir MB, I am embarrassed to be a Christian with you.
골프:
Fuck…it’s not a lie, it’s harder to look for it……
2TB:
This is incredible. They’ve discovered BSE but they’re still importing it? Ke ke ke ke
닉넴없음:
Isn’t it true that they still can’t export pork from America because of foot and mouth disease…
셉첸코님:
ke ke ke ke ke ke ke Are we a colony? ke ke
고구려는우리역사:
This useless administration is acting entirely for America’s benefit. Thoughtless administration that thinks of its own citizens as being in its service of the company. They’re worthless human beings.
너구리:
It’s always like this. Lee Myung-bak can’t communicate with the people and has a one-way parasitic foreign policy.
오르리:
Sell it only in Gangnam [affluent part of Seoul]…especially in the area where they voted for Kim Jong-hoon [lawmaker who led negotiations on beef in 2008]
행운123:
Even though there is definite proof that crazy administration still plays innocent.
일이관지:
Mr. President Lee Myung-bak is a really proud American who thinks of the benefit of his nation above all else.
