Korean/Nat After taking its toll on hundreds of cattle and pigs, deadly foot-and-mouth disease has now become a hot political issue in South Korea. With parliamentary elections a week away, rival parties are trading accusations over the government's handling of the disease. Opposition leaders have demanded the resignation of the agriculture minister, saying he was spending too much time on the campaign trail and not enough dealing with the livestock crisis. And the government has also been accused of concealing the outbreak for several days, depriving farmers of precious time to take preventive measures. A meat-tasting show was held outside the main government building in central Seoul on Thursday, designed to encourage the South Korean public to eat more beef and pork. Chunks of meat were grilled on portable cookers for government officials in suits who were out for lunch. The event was shown on prime-time television news. The show was a sign of ministers' desperate efforts to protect South Korea's fledgling livestock industry in the grip of the foot-and-mouth crisis, which has already led to a reported 30 percent drop in meat consumption. With parliamentary elections looming, the issue has taken on heavy political overtones, and opposition leaders have demanded the resignation of the agriculture minister for spending too much time on the campaign trail and not enough dealing with the livestock crisis. In a public relations effort to combat those claims, government officials fielded witnesses on Thursday who claimed the foot and mouth outbreak was already under control. SOUNDBITE: (Korean) "This particular National livestock Corporative Federation store's sales is not really effected by the foot and mouth disease. However, it is reported that there has been a 30 percent reduction in over-all consumption. Now the foot and mouth disease effect is slowing down in Korea." SUPER CAPTION: Kim, Yong-Jin, Shop owner The government points to its slaughter of about 400 cattle and pigs and the inoculation of around 110-thousand others as proof that it is fighting the disease effectively. And officials were keen to dismiss claims that foot and mouth poses a public health risk. SOUNDBITE: (Korean) "It tastes good. Both pork and beef are delicious. Korean meat tastes so much better than the imported ones." SUPER CAPTION: Kwon, Hyouk-Mun, Government Spokesperson But the publicity stunts have done little to prevent criticism from opposition leaders. SOUNDBITE: (Korean) "It seems to me that the Korean government failed to provide systematic devices or policies to prevent the disease." SUPER CAPTION: Lee, Kyu-Yang, Vice Spokesman, United Liberal Democrat Party They say urgent action is now needed to protect South Korea's lucrative meat export market. SOUNDBITE: (Korean) "I think that the Korean government should spend more time examining where the disease started so that they can prevent further spreading. Additionally, the Korean government should come up with a policy to protect those regions which were not effected by the disease and therefore should be able to export without any further damage." SUPER CAPTION: Lee, Kyu-Yang, Vice Spokesman, United Liberal Democrat Party One of the main accusations against the government are claims that it concealed the outbreak for several days, depriving farmers of precious time to take preventive measures. Symptoms of foot-and-mouth began showing in a few dozen cattle in Paju, north of Seoul, around March 20. Officials said they were alerted four days later and then needed a week to confirm their diagnosis. The highly contagious disease has since spread farther south. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/545a5343b7f7aa016b969fc6f9b4494a Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

• published: 21 Jul 2015
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