Timeline: South Korea
Mark Tran charts South Korea's political crisis over the importing of US beef
2007
December Lee Myung-bak, the conservative candidate, wins the presidential election with 48.7% of the vote. But turnout is one of the lowest ever.
2008
February Lee takes the oath of office, promising 7% economic growth, stronger relations with the US and a tougher line towards North Korea.
April During a visit to the US, Lee lifts restrictions on beef imports that had been in place since 2003, following an outbreak of BSE, or mad cow disease, in the US. Lee's decision meant South Korea could import US beef over 30 months old. This sparked near hysteria among South Koreans over the risks ? not backed by scientific evidence ? of catching mad cow disease. Lee is accused of betraying the trust of the electorate and his popularity starts to sink.
May Protests begin against Lee's decision. They grow larger in the following weeks, becoming a lightning rod for wider anti-government sentiment. Lee had come into office promising broad economic changes, such as the privatization of state-run industries and closer trade ties with the US and the EU.
June Lee's cabinet offers to resign en masse as the president seeks to draw a line under the street protests.
December Lee Myung-bak, the conservative candidate, wins the presidential election with 48.7% of the vote. But turnout is one of the lowest ever.
2008
February Lee takes the oath of office, promising 7% economic growth, stronger relations with the US and a tougher line towards North Korea.
April During a visit to the US, Lee lifts restrictions on beef imports that had been in place since 2003, following an outbreak of BSE, or mad cow disease, in the US. Lee's decision meant South Korea could import US beef over 30 months old. This sparked near hysteria among South Koreans over the risks ? not backed by scientific evidence ? of catching mad cow disease. Lee is accused of betraying the trust of the electorate and his popularity starts to sink.
May Protests begin against Lee's decision. They grow larger in the following weeks, becoming a lightning rod for wider anti-government sentiment. Lee had come into office promising broad economic changes, such as the privatization of state-run industries and closer trade ties with the US and the EU.
June Lee's cabinet offers to resign en masse as the president seeks to draw a line under the street protests.
Use the feedback form below to submit your comments.
Use the form below to email this article to your friends.
- South Korean Cabinet Offers Resignation Over Us Beef Imports
- South Korea President Praises North Over Nuclear Talks
- Spoiling for a Fight: South Korea Resists Us Beef Deal
- Pyongyang Lambasts New South Korean President
- Fire Destroys South Korea's Best Known Monument
- Pledge to Boost Economy After Landslide for Lee in South Korea
- Clouds Over Seoul
- South Korea Picks Conservative Ex-businessman for President
- Voters Cool Towards Sunshine Policy in South Korean Election
- Train Link Reconnects Two Koreas for First Time in 57 Years
- Two Koreas Make Peace and Prosperity Pact
- South Korean Leader Rejects Extra Day of Summit Talks
- Sunny South Meets Frosty North As Two Koreas Try to Bridge 50-year Gap
- South Korean Culture
- One of America's Strongest Allies, and Why it Gets Overlooked
- Korean Culture
- Korean Green Tea, much more then a simple cup of tea!
- Koreans, a definition of politeness
- Visiting Korea Part 2: Playing in Traffic
- Visiting Korea Part 1: There’s Nothing to be Afraid Of
- The Clash of the Koreans: Naval Skirmish in the Yellow Sea
- Facts About South Korea