South Korea flexes bolder attitude toward U.S.

Byline: Michael A. Lev

SEOUL, South Korea _ When South Korea's President-elect Roh Moo Hyun published a list of 10 goals for his administration, the focus was on developing his country's position in Asia. The United States, and its vital role in defending South Korea, was not mentioned.

The missing reference on Roh's to-do list hints at a broad change in the political climate swirling through the country.

As South Korea and the United States scramble for a way to deal with the defiant regime in North Korea and the alarming resumption of its nuclear program, the longtime allies seem to be having trouble dealing with each other.

Amid intensifying anti-American rallies, relations with the United States have slumped to what the Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo called "the worst point in their history."

South Koreans are much less likely to view themselves primarily as American allies compared to six months ago. They are much more likely to focus on the cultivation of their identities as Koreans.

Last month's election of Roh reflects and drives those changes. The new …