Clashes in Seoul over US beef row

South Korean police have used water cannon to disperse thousands of people in the capital Seoul protesting against the resumption of US beef imports.

The protests took place as US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice insisted in Seoul that US beef was safe to eat.

South Korea suspended US beef imports in 2003 after a case of mad cow disease, or BSE, was identified there.

Earlier this week, it formally lifted the ban, allowing shipments of meat from young US cattle.

An agreement on ending the ban was reached in April and it was due to be lifted in May, but this was twice postponed as protests continued, despite reassurances that US meat was safe.