SEOUL, May 3: Thousands of South Koreans joined a candlelit vigil in central Seoul for the second straight evening on Saturday to oppose their government’s decision to resume US beef imports.

Waving candles and chanting anti-government slogans, the protesters accused President Lee Myung-bak of risking South Koreans’ health by allowing American beef in despite fears of mad cow disease.

“Mad cow, mad government are driving the people mad!” read one of the signs displayed at the peaceful rally that police estimated drew about 6,000 people.

Another candlelit vigil took place at the same site on Friday, drawing some 10,000 protesters.

South Korea agreed last month to reopen its market for US beef, scrapping nearly all quarantine regulations previously insisted to guard against mad cow disease. The agreement, which came just hours before Lee held his first summit with US President George W. Bush, was widely seen as a concession aimed at getting the United States to approve a broader trade deal.

Seoul suspended US beef imports in late 2003 after mad cow disease was discovered in Washington state. Restricted imports resumed in April last year, but were put on hold again in October when a shipment arrived containing banned animal parts.

Mad cow fears spread quickly among Korean public this week after a popular current affairs TV programme questioned the safety of American beef. On Friday, South Korea’s agriculture minister held an hours-long press conference to reassure people that US beef is safe.—AP