ID :
40243
Mon, 01/12/2009 - 18:11
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/40243
The shortlink copeid
Korean-Americans file lawsuit against local broadcaster for beef report
By Kim Boram
SEOUL, Jan. 12 (Yonhap) -- More than 1,000 Korean-Americans filed a group lawsuit
on Monday against a South Korean broadcaster, claiming its coverage on the
supposed health risks of U.S. beef humiliated them and subjected them to mockery
in the United States.
In April last year, Seoul-based MBC broadcast a report on U.S. beef warning that
consumption of the meat may lead to the human form of mad cow disease. Following
the airing of the "PD Notebook" episode, tens of thousands of South Koreans took
to the streets to protest a Seoul-Washington agreement that reopened the Korean
beef market to U.S. products.
The protests continued for months, rattling the Lee Myung-bak administration in
its infancy.
A total of 1,020 Korean-Americans collectively filed the lawsuit against MBC with
the Seoul Southern District Court, seeking compensation of 1 billion won
(US$735,000) for alleged humiliation and psychological stress.
"We demand that MBC and the chief producer of 'PD Notebook' pay for the
psychological damages and broadcast a correction report and an apology," said Lee
Heon, legal representative of the group.
Imports of U.S. beef had been banned since late 2003 following the discovery of a
case of mad cow disease at a U.S. cattle farm in Washington state
The MBC report intensified domestic anxiety about U.S. beef and the brain-wasting
illness, and sparked a heated debate over the accuracy of the program's
information.
Lee said the plaintiffs were insulted by PD Notebook as its report insinuated
that anyone who eats U.S. beef will contract the human form of mad cow disease.
He also argued that because of the report, people living in Korea came to look
down on overseas Koreans who have eaten U.S. beef for years.
Lee added that a wave of anti-Americanism that spread through South Korea after
the MBC report caused hostility among Americans and consequently damaged the
plaintiffs' relationships and businesses on U.S. soil.
About 50 Korean residents in and near Los Angeles organized the plaintiffs' group
in August last year and collected signatures for the lawsuit. Two-thirds of the
plaintiffs are from Los Angeles while the others are from New York and Chicago,
according to Lee.
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, Jan. 12 (Yonhap) -- More than 1,000 Korean-Americans filed a group lawsuit
on Monday against a South Korean broadcaster, claiming its coverage on the
supposed health risks of U.S. beef humiliated them and subjected them to mockery
in the United States.
In April last year, Seoul-based MBC broadcast a report on U.S. beef warning that
consumption of the meat may lead to the human form of mad cow disease. Following
the airing of the "PD Notebook" episode, tens of thousands of South Koreans took
to the streets to protest a Seoul-Washington agreement that reopened the Korean
beef market to U.S. products.
The protests continued for months, rattling the Lee Myung-bak administration in
its infancy.
A total of 1,020 Korean-Americans collectively filed the lawsuit against MBC with
the Seoul Southern District Court, seeking compensation of 1 billion won
(US$735,000) for alleged humiliation and psychological stress.
"We demand that MBC and the chief producer of 'PD Notebook' pay for the
psychological damages and broadcast a correction report and an apology," said Lee
Heon, legal representative of the group.
Imports of U.S. beef had been banned since late 2003 following the discovery of a
case of mad cow disease at a U.S. cattle farm in Washington state
The MBC report intensified domestic anxiety about U.S. beef and the brain-wasting
illness, and sparked a heated debate over the accuracy of the program's
information.
Lee said the plaintiffs were insulted by PD Notebook as its report insinuated
that anyone who eats U.S. beef will contract the human form of mad cow disease.
He also argued that because of the report, people living in Korea came to look
down on overseas Koreans who have eaten U.S. beef for years.
Lee added that a wave of anti-Americanism that spread through South Korea after
the MBC report caused hostility among Americans and consequently damaged the
plaintiffs' relationships and businesses on U.S. soil.
About 50 Korean residents in and near Los Angeles organized the plaintiffs' group
in August last year and collected signatures for the lawsuit. Two-thirds of the
plaintiffs are from Los Angeles while the others are from New York and Chicago,
according to Lee.
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)
