S.Korean delegates head to US to discuss beef deal

South Korea was Monday sending two separate delegations to Washington to discuss changes to a US beef import deal which has sparked mass street protests over food safety concerns.

The ruling Grand National Party said its five-member team, including four lawmakers, left on Monday for talks with US trade officials, senior legislators and business leaders in Washington until Friday.

A separate four-strong government delegation, headed by vice agriculture minister Park Deok-Bae, was also due to leave late Monday on a similar mission, the ministry said.

Tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets almost daily in recent weeks, claiming the deal signed in April lacks enough safeguards against the supposed dangers of the human form of mad cow disease.

They have demanded President Lee Myung-Bak renegotiate the agreement to resume the beef imports, which were suspended in 2003 over mad cow fears, or step down.

On Monday a 40-year-old man died in hospital two weeks after setting himself ablaze in protest. He suffered burns to 87 percent of his body.

"Beef from cattle more than 30 months old must not be imported whatever the circumstances," Lee told the government team before their departure, according to the presidential office.

"It may not be easy but do your best to fulfil the people's wishes."

Seoul has sought to allay public anger by delaying the resumption of imports and asking Washington not to export beef from cattle more than 30 months old, which are seen as more vulnerable to infection.

But Lee has insisted he will not renegotiate the beef deal, saying such a move could jeopardise a separate free trade pact with the United States.

On Saturday US President George W. Bush promised to help ease the fears over beef imports during a 20-minute phone conversation with Lee, Seoul officials said.

He reportedly pledged to ensure that the United States would not export beef from cattle older than 30 months.

But protests have shown no sign of abating, with a candlelight vigil drawing some 40,000 protesters in downtown Seoul on Saturday. The rally ended violently early Sunday, with demonstrators clashing with police and smashing the windows of police buses.

An even bigger rally is expected on Tuesday. Leaflets plastered on walls by the "People's Association Against Mad Cow Disease" have called for one million people to attend the rally on June 10, the 20th anniversary of a mass pro-democracy protest.

Lee is reportedly considering reshuffling his cabinet in a bid to end the worst political crisis he has faced since taking office on February 25.

Dong-A Ilbo newspaper said Monday the reshuffle, expected to be announced Tuesday, would likely affect four senior presidential aides and at least two cabinet members -- the agriculture and health ministers.

US legislators have made it clear they will not ratify a sweeping free trade agreement until after the beef market is opened up. Washington says no one has ever contracted the human form of mad cow disease after eating US beef.