By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter

Internet users are stepping up their campaign against President Lee Myung-bak to protest the government's decision to import beef from the United States.

On Daum, a petition has been held to ask the National Assembly to impeach the President, aiming to collect as many as 10 million signatures. The number of people who joined the campaign had almost reached one million late Sunday, and was increasing fast, with about 1,000 signatures added in 10 minutes.

The campaign organizers criticized Lee for reneging on his pledge to adopt policies for the people.

``On top of a series of policy blunders, he is now trying to import American beef with the risk of mad cow disease. Lee has hurt the pride of the country and we cannot approve of such a president,'' the organizers said in a statement.

Protestors against U.S. beef imports are also joining several Internet communities, two of which organized offline candlelight rallies over the weekend. Another rally is scheduled for Tuesday.

Members of some communities said they would join the petition but their posts had been removed from guest boards, claiming the authorities were manipulating cyber opinion.

An Internet user with the ID ``daehansaram'' said on Daum: ``Do you believe people are stupid and thus participate in the rallies out of public sentiment with the media's agitation? Korean people are now exercising their rights dispassionately. The government should stop being arrogant and making people disappointed and angry.''

Some are also skeptical about the impeachment campaign.

According to the law, a president can only be impeached when he or she violates the law or the Constitution. ``The President cannot be impeached only because people do not like his policies. So, the current petition is only a `political show.' Lawmakers will not pass an impeachment bill, and even if they do due to public pressure, the Constitutional Court will not acknowledge it,'' an Internet user ``tlxlwmsz'' said on Naver.

The ruling Grand National Party (GNP) said the online and offline movements against the beef imports are politically motivated.

``Saturday's candlelight vigil was organized by a civic group promoting the impeachment of President Lee, and the operators of the group are members of the opposition United Democratic Party. They instigated the impeachment movement with the beef issue at the moment. They should not exaggerate the danger of American beef and deceive people,'' Rep. Shim Jae-chul of the GNP said Sunday.

rahnita@koreatimes.co.kr