Nearly 20,000 tons of U.S. beef clear customs since June

By Hwang Doo-hyong
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 (Yonhap) -- Nearly 20,000 tons of American beef have cleared customs since June when South Korea reopened its beef market to the U.S., the South Korean embassy here said Tuesday, after several years of suspension due to concerns over mad cow disease.

Since June 26 when Seoul began allowing in U.S. beef, 19,986 tons have passed
customs, figures released by the embassy said.
The total breaks down to 12,300 tons of new arrivals, with the rest having waited
for clearance at South Korean ports.
The number of U.S. butchers processing beef destined for South Korea also rose to
48 from 30.
South Korea's pro-U.S. President Lee Myung-bak had to face weeks of street
rallies and candle vigils earlier this year amid rising concerns by South Koreans
over the safety of U.S. beef.
U.S. beef shipments had been suspended in 2003 after the first case of mad cow
disease was found in the U.S. Two more cases were also later detected.