By Park Si-soo
Staff Reporter

President Lee Myung-bak said he ``fully understands'' anti-U.S. beef import activists' point of view in a recent interview with TIME magazine.

``This is a matter that concerns their health and safety of their young children,'' TIME quoted Lee as saying, adding that the modified beef ban will allay the fears and concerns of those who are worried about food-safety issues.

The remark came amid intensifying protest against the resumption of U.S. beef imports, which pulled down President Lee's approval rating to under 20 percent ㅡ the lowest ever in the first 100 days of any president since 1992.

Lee recognized that the surprisingly large and vociferous demonstrations were about more than the U.S. beef imports.

He also showed his expectation that the unprecedented move would play a pivotal role in making a better country.

``There is a tradition and a history here in Korea where public demonstrations were the beginning of true and meaningful changes,'' the President told the magazine.

Over the weekend, tens of thousands of protesters clogged the main thoroughfares of downtown Seoul to oppose the beef imports decision, alleging President Lee had ``bulldozed'' the plan and blocked his ears in order not to be swayed by what the people were calling for.

``Some people have laid criticism on me that I tend not to listen to other people or to the voices of the Korean public,'' Lee said. ``That my leadership style is very one sided and I go my own way. But I was a CEO for quite a while, and a CEO must listen to consumers and what they say. Of course I will try to listen more.''

Lee said he doesn't see conflict in cultivating ties with both the U.S. and China. ``China is our No. 1 trading partner as well as the No. 1 destination for Korean investment,'' the President said. ``Our relationship has grown very close over the years and we cannot realistically ignore this. At the same time, the President said he intends to continue to boost ties with the U.S. ``because it will ensure not only peaceful stability in Northeast Asia but also help to deter war here on the Korean peninsula.''

pss@koreatimes.co.kr