The following is the first of a series of articles regarding President Roh Moo-hyun’s independent foreign policy. _ ED.

By Shim Jae-yun
Staff Reporter

President Roh Moo-hyun’s sacking of Foreign Affairs-Trade Minister Yoon Young-kwan is symbolic of South Korea’s deviation from its traditional U.S.-oriented foreign policy.

One indisputable sign is an explanation Chong Wa Dae cited as a reason for Yoon’s dismissal. In a briefing, Jeong Chan-yong, Roh’s top personnel advisor, told reporters that some ministry officials don’t understand or share the philosophy of the participatory government’s foreign policy, explaining that the Roh administration will continue pursuing foreign policy that is more independent of the U.S. Experts say that Roh has put his foot down, and it will be difficult to diverge from his course, which has been reinforced by Yoon’s forced exit.

``Regardless of whoever will be named as the next foreign minister, he would not be able to carry out the duty outside the Chong Wa Dae guideline,’’ Park Myung-lim, professor at Yonsei University, said in a telephone interview with The Korea Times.

Park foresees that Roh Moo-hyun’s administration will face a diplomatic disaster, should it fail to properly mend the relation with the U.S. He pointed out that there are too many issues that require U.S. cooperation to resolve, such as the North Korean nuclear programs.

Seoul’s departure from a U.S. orbit was well anticipated, as Roh advocated a policy of diverging from the U.S. during the presidential campaign in late 2002 with the goal of garnering support from younger voters.

As a step to consolidate his new foreign policy, Lee Jong-seok and other progressive figures were appointed to key posts at the National Security Council (NSC), formulating a policy stressing independent foreign policy and inter-Korean cooperation over the alliance with the U.S.

The NSC officials who are closest to Roh, have generally conflicted with foreign ministry officials over foreign policy, particularly over policy toward the U.S. Yoon’s departure is an NSC victory in an internal power struggle.

Roh’s preference for the NSC had been anticipated well in advance, when he confessed he had a major spat with Yoon over a U.S. policy during a meeting with reporters.

By dismissing Yoon for his staff’s disparaging remarks against Roh and his U.S. policy, Roh buttressed the relevance of NSC officials. But this unsteadied an alliance between Seoul and Washington.

Wary of the possible dispute, Chong Wa Dae yesterday said the bilateral alliance would be firmly maintained despite the recent brawl.

``Although there is growing concern over the relation with the U.S. following the resignation of Yoon, the alliance and cooperation will remain adamant,’’ Lee Jong-seok said in an interview.

Despite the denial, however, experts express anxiety over possible negative responses from the U.S.

In diplomacy, it is a principle to pursue national interests based on wisdom and tactic.

``How on earth can the Roh administration publicly reveal its ideology toward independent diplomacy? It will cause diplomatic friction with the U.S.,’’ Park of Yonsei University said.

jayshim@koreatimes.co.kr