VOA标准英语2008年-Clergy, Labor Unions Add Layers to South Korea'

（单词翻译）

South Korean religious groups have temporarily taken over leadership of protests against the resumption of American beef imports, calling for peace and police restraint. At the same time, South Korea's biggest labor¹ union group has begun a strike and says its members will join protesters in the streets. VOA's Kurt Achin has more from Seoul.
　
Striking union workers of South Korea's Hyundai Motors shout slogans at plant in Ulsan, south of Seoul, 02 Jul 2008

South Korean protests against U.S. beef imports have been an almost nightly fixture² in Seoul for some two months now - but some of this week's gatherings⁴ seemed a lot like a church service.

Protesters - some of them wearing white veils customary among South Korean Catholics - sang "peace, peace, because I serve God."

Religious leaders have been at the forefront of the the protests, this week, lacing the gatherings heavily with symbols of worship. Their stewardship⁵ of the demonstrations⁶ is expected to end Friday, with a gathering³ presided over by Buddhist⁷ leaders.

Many South Koreans believe U.S. beef is tainted⁸ with the brain-consuming mad cow disease, despite a relative lack of hard scientific data. The protests have dwindled⁹ in numbers, but become more physical in recent weeks. Last weekend, hundreds of South Koreans were injured in clashes with police connected to the beef protests.

Religious leaders accuse police of using excessive force. They are invoking¹⁰ their public role to call for restraint. Some of them are openly backing the protesters, while others use religious language implying support.

A Catholic priest called upon Jesus Christ to heal those who were hurt and to give everyone gathered the strength to fight against injustice¹¹.

Separately, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, began a partial nationwide strike, Wednesday, in solidarity¹² with the beef protesters.

The group said more than 130,000 workers would walk off the job, including about 30,000 union members employed by Hyundai Motors.

KCTU President Lee Seok-heang says members are exercising a democratic right, in service of the public.

He says the strikers want to preserve public health, which he calls a key ingredient for production. He says they also want to protect children from what he describes as the "risk" of American beef.

Lee says thousands of labor union workers will travel to Seoul, later this week, to join several days of anti-government protests over the U.S. beef issue.

Lee downplays warnings from leaders and economists¹³ that ongoing¹⁴ unrest risks damaging South Korea's long term economic prospects¹⁵. South Korea's prime minister said this week the protests are discouraging investment and damaging South Korea's trade credibility.

South Korea's parliament remains¹⁶ paralyzed by a boycott¹⁷ led by political opponents of President Lee Myung-bak, who made the April deal to resume American beef imports.

Despite opposition¹⁸, U.S. beef did go back on sale this week here in South Korea after clearing final legal loopholes, last month. One of the few retailers¹⁹ daring enough to advertise the beef says sales are brisk- with 400 kilograms leaving the shop since Tuesday.