Beef conflictSouth Korea is seeking to ease some domestic irritation, with a move that could complicate American-Korean trade relations.Seoul is amending its promise to resume US beef imports by imposing new trade conditions aimed at placating political critics of the South Korean president.In what he described as a humble acceptance of the people’s will，South Korean Agriculture Minister Chung Woon-chun announced a new set of limitations on plans to import US beef.He says South Korea has requested the American government stop exporting cattle aged 30 months or older, about which South Korean consumers have expressed the most anxiety.He says his ministry will postpone scheduled quarantine inspections of American beef until the United States responds to the request.The move is a reaction to street protests which began weeks ago, opposing American beef imports.The demonstrations have evolved into much broader, grassroots criticism of South Korean President Lee Myung-bak，s leadership style.Two months after his February inauguration,Mr. Lee arranged a deal to fully resume imports of virtually all cuts of US beef.
