S Korean president replaces advisors over beef row

Seoul: South Korea's embattled president replaced his top advisers in a bid to soothe public outrage over plans to resume US beef imports, while Seoul was expected to announce details on Saturday about a possible resolution to the dispute.

In a nationally televised news conference on Friday, Lee Myung-bak introduced his new chief of staff and seven other senior presidential secretaries, seeking to make what he called "a fresh start" for his administration, which took office less than four months ago.

"We promise again that we'll open our ears ... and do our best in serving the people," he said.

Lee's entire Cabinet has also offered to resign over the beef issue, which has sparked weeks of anti-government demonstrations over health concerns, but the president has not yet said which ministers will leave the government.

In Washington, trade chiefs from South Korea and the US concluded talks on the beef issue and "neared a result that can satisfy each other," the South Korean Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

South Korea will announce details on Saturday after Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon reports to Lee and consults with related ministries, ministry spokesman Moon Tae-young said.

While both countries have said they will not renegotiate an April agreement reopening South Korea's market to American beef, US suppliers were expected to voluntarily pledge not to export meat from older cattle, believed more at risk for mad cow disease.