The Minister sent a request to the Ministry of Administration to print the final protocol now that the government has finalised new quarantine regulations that provide for imports of nearly all cuts of US beef without age restrictions.

However, the opposition parties in Korea as well as the Korean Federation of Trade Unions, which are big opponents of US beef, have pledged to fight the agreement.

More than 7000 people protested following the Minister's announcement.

"We look forward to supplying high-quality, wholesome US beef to South Korea," says US Meat Export Federation president and CEO Philip Seng.

"But this is a volatile situation that changes day by day. We are monitoring events in Korea very closely."

The protestors say the deal doesn't adequately protect the country from BSE.

But South Korea's Ag Minister says the government will immediately halt imports if the US detects a new case.

He also promised thorough management of the inspection and distribution of US beef.

"The US industry wants to win back the trust of South Korean consumers," Mr Seng said.

"US beef exports are accepted by Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Mexico and the European Union.

"We trust that the facts and sound science will win over Korean public opinion that US beef is safe."