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.

Seoul - South Korea's President Lee Myung Bak will visit China later this month for talks on North Korea's nuclear programme and ways to strengthen ties between Seoul and Beijing, Lee's office said Tuesday.

Lee is scheduled to visit Beijing and the eastern Chinese coastal city of Qingdao on May 27-30. He plans to hold summit talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao in Beijing on May 27.

"Through his first visit to China, Lee would help enhance the partnership between the two countries and pave the way for further development of bilateral ties," a spokesman for Lee's office said.

The visit would also provide the government with an opportunity to strengthen cooperation for the settlement of the North Korean nuclear issue.