South Korean imports of U.S. beef grew considerably in the first half of this year.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, South Korea imported 25-thousand-700 tons of U.S. beef in the first six months of the year, up from 244 tons during the same period last year.

The president of the U.S. Meat Export Federation, Philip Seng, said increases in U.S. beef exports to South Korea are partly attributable to a stronger Korean won.

South Korea lifted its restrictions on U.S. beef imports one year ago after temporarily banning them, following the discovery of mad cow disease in U.S. cattle in 2003.

He added that the U.S. exported 40-thousand tons of beef to Japan in the first half, which was behind its stated annual goal of 100-thousand tons.