S Korea head admits beef failings

By John Sudworth
BBC News, Seoul

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President Lee Myung-bak says he plans to eat imported US beef

South Korea's President Lee Myung-bak says his government should have listened more to public concerns over lifting an import ban on US beef.

In a candid and wide ranging interview with the BBC, Mr Lee also spoke of the threat still posed by North Korea and his plans to revive the economy.

The beef crisis has seen the president's popularity plummet.

He won a historic, landslide election six months ago but is now suffering rock-bottom approval ratings.

His government's decision to restart imports of US beef has led to large public protests over fears of mad cow disease.

In his interview, he said he still believed it was the right decision but that the government should have been sensitive to public concern.

Mr Lee also welcomed the recent steps taken by North Korea towards giving up the production of plutonium, but he urged more action towards a final abandonment of its nuclear weapons programme.

And he said he would welcome a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, if there was a will for a genuine dialogue.

Mr Lee admitted that South Korea was seriously challenged by the global economic downturn, but he said that by cutting red tape he could still deliver on his promise to boost economic growth.