/asia
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- A contrite President Lee Myung-bak is vowing to take a "humble attitude" and senior presidential aides are offering to quit, as South Koreans are using a long weekend to pressure the government over a widely unpopular U.S. beef import deal.
Police say about 12,000 people are rallying in central Seoul, and more are expected to join later. On Thursday night, a crowd estimated by police at 25,000 staged a candlelight protest.
Organizers have pledged that rallies will continue nonstop though Sunday.
Blue House spokesman Lee Dong-kwan says all eight senior presidential secretaries -- including himself -- are offering to resign en masse.
In South Korea, senior officials at times of crisis sometimes offer to step down to deflect or diminish criticism of an embattled leader.
It was not clear whether the president would accept the resignations. 
Watch a protester this week express her distrust of the government »
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
All About South Korea
| Most Viewed | Most Emailed | Top Searches |
| Most Viewed | Most Emailed | Top Searches |
Read
VIDEO
From the Blogs: 
Sit tight, we're getting to the good stuff
