Agriculture Minister Appears at Rally Site

Agriculture Minister Chung Woon-chun made a bold, unexpected attempt to make a public speech to the anti-government, anti-U.S. beef demonstrators Tuesday evening, only to be blocked by the angry crowd.

He said he visited the rally site to apologize to the people.

``We have said we will serve our people. I came here to make an apology,'' the minister told reporters being pushed away by demonstrators. ``Talks are going on in the U.S. We will do our utmost for the safety of eateries for the people.''

No violence was reported during his sudden visit to the massive street rally. But curses of ``traitor'' soon rained down on him and the hostile atmosphere forced the minister to leave the scene after a 15-minute confrontation, observers said.

The minister for food, agriculture, forestry and fisheries is being blamed for the April agreement between South Korea and the United States to resume U.S. beef imports. Feeling the heat from the successive street rallies from late last month, Chung offered his resignation to President Lee Myung-bak earlier in the day.

He wanted to make an apology to the public and explain the government's stance on the beef issue, the ministry said later.