S.Korea mounts security clampdown before Bush arrival

SOUTH KOREA: South Korea readied more than 20,000 police and troops Tuesday for a visit by President George W. Bush, with opponents of US beef imports set to face off against supporters of the American alliance.

President Lee-Myung Bak ordered a security clampdown for the trip starting Tuesday evening, telling his cabinet the close US relationship is "the backbone of South Korean diplomacy."

Police said about 7,000 officers would guard Bush while 17,000 more were being deployed in downtown Seoul to control expected demonstrations. Thousands of troops will also be mobilised, the defence ministry said.

Proposals for a Bush visit in July were shelved amid near-daily mass protests against the resumption of the imports.

Seoul, Tuesday, AFP