Seoul - South Korea's President Lee Myung Bak said Wednesday he is ready to make a "fresh start" after weeks of mass protests over a US beef import deal prompted his entire cabinet to offer their resignations.

"I had a lot of mixed feelings watching last night's street rallies. I myself participated in pro-democracy activities as a student in the past," said Lee on Wednesday, referring to the 80,000 demonstrators opposing the resumption of US beef imports in central Seoul Tuesday night.

"I'm determined to make a fresh start. Let's pursue aggressive challenges in these difficult times," said Lee, indicating an intention to conduct a sweeping shake-up of his cabinet after only 108 days in office, according to Yonhap.

Lee's entire cabinet offered to resign early Tuesday to take responsibility for a government deal to lift a ban on US beef imports led to mass protests on concerns over mad cow disease.

The offer has done little to mollify protestors.

"The rally should continue as long as there is no progress in response to our call for a negotiation with the US," said Chang Dae Hyun, a protest organizer.

The US Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner said Tuesday that it has no intention to again negotiate the deal it made with South Korea on April 17 to fully resume beef the trade.

South Koreans are also blaming Lee for the slowdown of Asia's fourth-largest economy and for consumer inflation that hit a seven-year high of 4.9 per cent in May.

South Korea's economy relies on foreign oil supplies for most of its energy needs.

On Sunday the government announced a 10.2 billion dollar spending package to that includes grants of up to 240 dollars of subsidies for low-income earners and tax rebates for truckers.

However, the truckers weren't happy with the offer and on Monday a trade union representing 13,000 transport workers voted to strike over high oil prices, putting more pressure on

Lee's government is also facing pressure from labour unions with about 3,600 drivers refusing to drive their trucks at 11 ports on Wednesday over soaring fuel prices, despite a government 10.2 billion dollar spending package that includes grants of up to 240 dollars of subsidies for low-income earners and tax rebates for truckers. (dpa)