By Kim Yon-se
Korea Times Correspondent
WASHINGTON ― Aides of President Lee Myung-bak criticized former President Roh Moo-hyun for failing to resolve the issue of U.S. beef imports before stepping down in February.
``Recent disputes over the U.S. beef issue are due to former President Roh Moo-hyun, who left office without settling them,'' presidential spokesman Lee Dong-kwan told reporters Thursday.
He made the remarks several hours after Seoul promised to Washington that it would ``fully'' open the beef market to the United States.
The spokesman stressed that the full opening was promised by Roh a year ago, adding that Lee had no choice but to assume the burden.
He said it is undesirable for President Lee's remarks on the beef market opening to be made public, refering to ``applause'' from Korean and American participants in Lee's meeting with U.S. dignitaries from relevant industries at the office of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, located near the White House.
As the President commented on the two countries' reaching an agreement on the beef issue ― before the news was disclosed in Seoul ― a Korean participant clapped his hands and cheered. After interpretation, all the participants applauded.
``The beef issue was the main hurdle for the Korea-U.S. FTA,'' the President said. He expressed gratitude to participants, including Korea's Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon and U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Alexander Vershbow.
Spokesman Lee called on the media not to report the President's remarks, insisting that concessions in the beef sector were inevitable for fast FTA ratification.
He declined to answer questions about the enduring government position that beef is irrelevant to FTA talks.
``The applause and the President's remark, before the agreement was announced, was to placate U.S. officials and Congressmen,'' he said. ``But the hand-clapping was inappropriate for the media to report to Koreans.''
After the President stated the beef issue, Cheong Wa Dae officials said it was unnecessary for reporters in Washington to carry Lee's remarks, insisting that many Korean journalists in Seoul had already known and the agriculture minister would hold a news briefing.
Critics say presidential aides sought to prevent the market's full opening from being made public by the President.
As the reporters in Washington downplayed the spokesman's request, he ascribed the beef disputes to former President Roh.