UN chief tells South Koreans to trust beef imports

By JAE-SOON CHANG - Associated Press Writer SEOUL, South Korea -- U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon told his fellow South Koreans on Friday to trust and support the country's leaders following weeks of protests against U.S. beef imports that have rocked the government. Speaking at a joint news conference with South Korean Prime Minister Han Seung-soo, Ban said he felt it was "very important for the government to be responsible for upholding the public safety and the public welfare of the people." "But at the same time, I also feel that it is very important for the people to support policies of the government and to actively have trust in the government and to ensure and support the Korean government's desire to act in accordance with international standards and agreements," the United Nations secretary-general said. South Korea's... [read full story]