Wed, August 06, 2008
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U.S. President George W. Bush, accompanied by his wife and daughter Barbara, arrives in South Korea on what could be his last visit to East Asia as president.
Bush's talks with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak are to focus on communist North Korea, including progress in verifying North Korea's account of its nuclear weapons programme.
Before Bush's arrival, some had expected a large anti-U.S. protest in the centre of the capital, Seoul.
Some 20 000 police had been mobilised for Bush's visit, and riot police were guarding the U.S. embassy.
But police officers easily outnumbered the few hundred anti-Bush and anti-Lee protestors and police dispersed them with water cannons before some were led away.
Lee's decision to completely end a ban on U.S. beef imports, brought in five years ago over concerns about mad cow disease, sparked weeks of widespread anti-governments.
But there was little sign of the anger of recent weeks.
And instead, in a surprise boost for Bush, around 15 000 people turned out to welcome him at a pro-U.S. prayer rally.
This participant was hoping for improved relations between the United States and South Korea:
SOUNDBITE: Park Chan-Sung, Conservative protester, saying (Korean):
"The relationship between the two countries has been awkward due to anti-U.S beef and pro-North Korea rallies and anti-U.S. protesters' candlelight vigils. I hope that the South Korean and U.S. alliance strengthens as we welcome Bush's visit to South Korea."
After this welcome in Seoul, Bush's Asian trip continues to Bangkok, then on to Beijing for the Olympic Games.
