SKorea begins process to resume US beef imports
Updated
South Korea will start procedures to resume US beef imports after securing extra health safeguards aimed at placating protesters.
The ruling Grand National party says an official notice of the resumption will be posted in the government gazette.
The posting is a legal requirement before officials can start inspecting US beef shipments and releasing them for sale.
South Korean officials say the reworked pact will increase safety checks on US beef.
President Lee Myung-bak scored a landslide in an election, in December last year.
But he has seen his popularity plummet after his government signed a deal in April to allow the import of US beef from cattle of all ages.
The deal sparked street protests among those concerned about mad cow disease.
