Protesters, police clash at beef rally

Hundreds of protesters clashed with South Korean riot police in Seoul early today during an illegal rally against a beef import agreement with the United States.

Police beat several protesters, who were taken to nearby hospitals.

An officer at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency declined to comment on the violence. Police detained 32 others for questioning, he said, requesting anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to reporters.

On Sunday, police detained 37 others at a separate rally urging the government to scrap a recent deal to resume imports of U.S. beef. The protesters have cited concerns over mad cow disease.