‘U.S. Positive on Private Regulation of Beef’

President Lee Myung-bak said yesterday that the United States is positive over self-regulation of beef quality by U.S. companies.

“[Envoys are] carrying out additional negotiations with the U.S. that correspond to renegotiation, and we requested that U.S. traders practice self-regulation to make sure beef from cows more than 30 months old is not exported,” he said at a luncheon with Liberty Forward Party Chairman Lee Hoi-chang. “They have given us a positive answer.”

The president also hinted at officially announcing his opinion on beef renegotiation early this week through a statement or a news conference, saying, “When we have the results of the additional negotiations, I’ll find an opportunity to tell the people about them myself.”

Chairman Lee, however, said self-regulation is neither a fundamental solution nor sufficient to persuade the people, but the president warned that pushing too hard on beef could undermine Seoul in other areas of the bilateral free trade agreement, making the problem worse.

Chairman Lee also spoke on the government reshuffle that President Lee will announce soon. “The reform plan should include replacing the prime minister and all presidential secretaries so that nobody will talk about [an administration filled with people from President Lee’s alma mater Korea University, Somang Presbyterian Church and the Gyeongsang provinces or those from the rich southern Seoul district of Gangnam,” he said.

“The prime minister should especially be someone who can represent all people instead of certain power streams or factions.”

President Lee answered, “I agree that the people’s demands should be satisfied and will consider the people’s sentiments.”

On the crippling truckers’ strike, the president said, “Shipping companies, trucking firms and the government should all take a step back and share the burden. Shipping companies also need to get more actively involved.”

He also commented on the economic situation, saying, “High growth policies are not the right means with which to break through the difficult situation. I’ll do my best to stabilize consumer inflation.”

ddr@donga.com