By Shim Jae-yun
Staff Reporter

President Roh Moo-hyun on Friday named his advisor for foreign policy, Ban Ki-moon, as the new Foreign Affairs-Trade Minister, replacing Yoon Young-kwan, who resigned Thursday, taking responsibility for his staffers’ disparaging remarks against Roh and his policy toward the United States.

The virtual sacking of Yoon, who has been advocating a pro-American policy, has intensified concern over possible straining of relations between Seoul and Washington.

Mindful of this, Ban said he would place first priority on strengthening the bilateral alliance to help resolve pending issues including the standoff over North Korea’s nuclear weapons program.

``There has been no dispute between Seoul and Washington on major pending issues. I will exert the best of our efforts to tackle the nuclear issue among others to ensure peace and stability on the Korean peninsula,’’ he said during a media conference just after he was appointed as foreign minister.

Ban also vowed efforts to realize the delayed six-party talks on the nuclear standoff through close cooperation with relevant nations in the near future.

``Regarding this as the last chance to serve the nation in officialdom, I would mobilize all possible endeavors,’’ he said.

Ban, 60, is a veteran diplomat with experience in dealing with U.S. policy. He enjoys respect among Foreign Affairs-Trade Ministry officials and is expected to stabilize the ministry without much delay.

Some officials have fallen under scrutiny from Chong Wa Dae in connection with allegations of making critical remarks against Roh and his policy toward the U.S., which led to Yoon’s dismissal.

Ban said he would take punitive steps against the relevant officials, although he feels some uncomfortable doing so.

Touching upon the nationalist diplomacy allegedly pursued by the Roh administration, Ban said caution should be exercised, citing the need for a sort of pragmatic diplomacy with focus on flexibility.

Explaining the reasons for naming Ban, Jeong Chan-yong, presidential secretary for personnel affairs, said, ``We hope Ban will smoothly address the pending problems based on the trust he has from allies.’’

Ban served as vice foreign minister under former presidents Kim Young-sam and Kim Dae-jung, envoy in Austria and secretary of chairman of the U.N. General Assembly, before serving as a presidential advisor to Roh.

jayshim@koreatimes.co.kr