SEOUL, South Korea — The United States pressed South Korea to open its market for imports as talks resumed Friday over Seoul's ban on American beef over concerns of mad cow disease, an official said.
South Korea responded that it will determine its position on the U.S. demand after discussing the issue with experts, said Oh Sun-min, an official at the Agriculture Ministry. The two countries will meet again Monday, he added.
"The sides should make efforts" to narrow their differences, Oh said.
The negotiations were the first since October, when the U.S. failed to get South Korea to lift an import ban slapped on earlier that month after shipments contained parts banned over concerns of mad cow disease that authorities believe can be dangerous to humans.
The talks came days before South Korea's new President Lee Myung-bak heads to the U.S. for his first summit with President Bush, where the two leaders are expected to discuss both the beef ban and a broader deal to further open trade.
The U.S. says a resolution of the beef dispute is needed for congressional leaders in Washington to back a free trade accord that the two countries signed last year.
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