South Korea's farm minister offered Friday to step down over the severest foot-and-mouth (FMD) outbreak in the country's history once ongoing quarantine efforts arrest the spread of the highly contagious animal disease.

   Yoo Jeong-bok said in a news conference that he plans to take full responsibility for the outbreak that forced the government to cull more than 2.88 million livestock in the past 60 days at a cost exceeding 1.5 trillion won ($1.34 billion).



   "I plan to do my utmost to try to contain the FMD outbreak as soon as possible, and once the situation comes under control will step down," he said.

   The decision to step down aims to end demands by politicians and the press, which had demanded someone take responsibility for the animal disease outbreaks that have spread throughout the country.

   Opposition lawmakers, civic groups, and the local media have been critical about Seoul's response to the animal disease, with criticism focused on inadequate initial quarantine measures and slowness of the decision to vaccinate animals.

   The government started vaccinating animals on Dec. 25, almost a month after the first outbreak was confirmed on Nov. 29, with nationwide inoculations being ordered for all 13 million pigs and cattle in the country early this month.

   During this time, the disease spread through six provinces and two major cities.

   "Political wrangling over who should be held responsible for the outbreak does nothing to help the situation," he stressed, adding that he has no intention of clinging to the ministerial post.

   Yoo said that while more time will be needed to fully determine the exact cause of the outbreak and who should be held accountable, the current situation calls for concerted nationwide efforts to end the FMD outbreaks.

   The two-term lawmaker from the ruling Grand National Party was appointed farm minister on Aug. 30.

(Yonhap News)