By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter

Opposition parties plan to join candlelit protests against the government's decision to resume U.S. beef imports, raising pressure on President Lee Myung-bak and his government to start re-negotiations with the U.S. over import terms.

The largest opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) called on Lee to dismiss all Cabinet members in order to take responsibility for the outcome of the beef talks with the United States. The party held protests in Myeongdong, central Seoul, Sunday.

``Candlelit vigils against U.S. beef imports, which have been largely peaceful, are becoming more violent due to tougher crackdowns by riot police,'' said Cha Young, a UDP spokesperson. ``The Lee government should come up with emergency measures to cool down public anger, including a Cabinet reshuffle and re-negotiations with the U.S.''

Police fired water cannons Saturday night at hundreds of protesters attempting to head for Cheong Wa Dae. They were part of a crowd of some 50,000 citizens who had gathered at Seoul City Plaza to wave candles and chant slogans protesting a Korea-U.S. agreement on beef imports. Scores of protesters and police officers were hurt seriously during clashes, participants said.

The UDP is seeking to collaborate with civic groups to stage a joint candlelit vigil, Cha said. Some UDP lawmakers participated in a rally in Seoul on Saturday and called for other party members to take to the streets.

Public anger has intensified since the government removed the final administrative hurdle Thursday to resume U.S. beef imports. Imports are expected to resume as early as this month.

Riding on growing protests, opposition parties have linked the beef issue to other sensitive matters, such as the government's move to get approval from lawmakers for a free trade accord with the United States.

The National Assembly started its new 4-year term, Friday, but the beef issue is expected to hamper its early operations.

Lawmakers from the minor opposition Democratic Labor Party continued their hunger strike, demanding the government withdraw its beef import decision. The Liberty Forward Party also called for the resignation of Cabinet members and an apology from President Lee.

On Friday, the opposition coalition submitted a petition to the Constitutional Court to nullify the government's decision to resume U.S. beef imports. The Lawyers for a Democratic Society, the largest association of lawyers, said it would file a lawsuit against the South Korean government this week over its beef import decision.

jj@koreatimes.co.kr