S Korean leader starts first US trip

By Caroline Gluck BBC correspondent in Seoul

Roh hopes to repair relations between South Korea and the US

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun is travelling to the United States for a week-long visit including a summit with President George W Bush.

It is President Roh's first overseas visit since taking office and his first ever trip to the US.

It is being described as his toughest diplomatic challenge to date as his talks will try to tackle efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear threat and repair strains in the 50-year alliance between his country and the US

He is accompanied by more than 20 business leaders who will try to allay fears over the security impact of North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

This visit will play an important part in setting the future tone for bilateral relations and coordinating policies in dealing with North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

His summit will also address US plans to realign its 37,000 troops in South Korea.

Policy differences

President Roh, who has called for a more equal relationship between Washington and Seoul, was helped to electoral victory by a series of protests sparked by the US troop presence in South Korea.

Since taking office however he has shifted his position and stressed the need for a continued strong military alliance.

But the half-century pact between the two countries has been severely strained by policy differences over how best to tackle North Korea's suspected nuclear weapons programmes.

Both countries say they want a peaceful solution.

The two countries differ on how best to deal with North Korea

Washington however has not ruled out the military option and hardliners are pushing for sanctions.

President Roh has rejected the use of force and says exchanges between the two Koreas should continue.

But officials in Seoul hope that the two presidents, who are the same age and known for their plain speaking, will be able to form a personal chemistry.

That, many believe, may be the most important factor in efforts to repair strained relations and iron out some of the policy differences.