S Korea foreign minister named

Mr Roh is taking South Korea in a more independent direction

South Korea's new foreign minister has been named as Ban Ki-moon, who currently serves as President Roh Moo-hyun's chief foreign policy aide.

He replaces Yoon Young-kwan, who resigned after an internal government row over foreign policy and US ties.

A career diplomat, he has spent more than 30 years in the Foreign Ministry, according to the Korea Times.

"Ban is capable of leading and reforming the (foreign) ministry," said Mr Roh's office.

He "is expected to handle the pending affairs smoothly based on trust from allies", presidential secretary Jeong Chan-yong said.

His appointment comes at a crucial moment, with regional powers and the US trying to find common ground over North Korea's development of nuclear weapons.

Yoon Young-kwan left after his officials reportedly criticised presidential advisers, who advocate a more independent line from its key ally, the US.

President Roh's advisers also favour a softer line on North Korea, which the US branded part of an "axis of evil" for its nuclear ambitions.

Some had credited Mr Yoon with stabilising Seoul's ties with the US.

He stepped down to take responsibility for failing to implement presidential policy, Mr Jeong said at the time of his resignation.

"Some foreign ministry staff were unable to shed the past foreign policy and failed to adequately understand the basic spirit of the new independent foreign policy," he told reporters.