SEOUL - SOUTH Korea's President Lee Myung Bak urged the military on Thursday to help more in the battle against the country's worst-ever outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, after half a million animals were culled.
'I know the military is already offering active support (in slaughtering the animals), but I want more cooperation from the military,' he told cabinet members.
Mr Lee also urged the military to 'cooperate when the outbreak spreads to new regions' and all related government agencies to offer 'special treatment for those involved in culling efforts'.
A total of 66 cases have been reported across the nation since Nov 29, prompting the culling of nearly 550,000 cattle, pigs and other cloven-hoofed animals, Yonhap news agency reported.
The agriculture ministry estimated losses due to the outbreak at 400 billion won (S$454 million).
About 160,000 animals were killed during the previous worst outbreak in 2002. -- AFP
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