South Korean police have used a water cannon to disperse thousands of people in the capital Seoul protesting against the resumption of US beef imports.

The protests took place as US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice insisted in Seoul that US beef is safe to eat.

South Korea suspended US beef imports in 2003 after a case of mad cow disease, or BSE, was identified there.

Earlier this week, it formally lifted the ban, allowing shipments of meat from young US cattle.

Public anger in South Korea remains high at what is perceived by many as the Government’s readiness to cave into Washington and ignore health concerns.