South Korea's President Fires Top Advisers

Over the past six weeks, it has became clear that South Koreans were upset about more than just beef. Critics accused Lee of bending to U.S. interests and arrogantly refusing to build consensus before major policy decisions. Protesters were demanding last week that he resign.

Lee tried to explain his motivations Thursday. It was part of an apology that was considerably more detailed and introspective than his first public apology, in late May. "In retrospect, I was in a hurry after being elected president," he said.

Restrictions on imports of U.S. beef had been in place here since 2003, when the first case of mad cow disease was confirmed in a cow slaughtered in Washington state. The curbs had become a major obstacle to congressional ratification of the U.S.-South Korea free-trade deal, which was signed last summer.

Lee lifted a ban on all U.S. beef imports April 18 while on a visit to Washington. His decision, made with little consultation, came hours before he was to meet with Bush.

Lee said Thursday that he had moved quickly in the belief this would speed approval of the free-trade agreement and help him meet his campaign promise to increase economic growth: "I did not want to miss this golden opportunity."

Meanwhile, a devastating truckers' strike over fuel prices showed signs of winding down. In the past week, the strike has delayed more than $6 billion worth of freight. But on Thursday, about 2,100 truckers returned to work.

Still, more strikes are planned for next month, and opposition groups said Thursday that they were "deeply disappointed" that Lee has refused to renegotiate the beef deal.

Harden reported from Tokyo.