In what has been described as a provocative move, the missile landed in the sea between the Korean peninsula and Japan just hours before the President Roh Moo-hyun was sworn in.

With the ever growing tension in the region can the new South Korean president make a difference?

Your comments:

I believe President Roh will be hampered if he does not tackle Korea's twin vices of regionalism (in Korea) and corruption. He must also revamp the North Korea policy by insisting on food aid rather than monetary gain to reward North Korea. He might also ponder the viability of extending a president's term of office to avoid the "lame duck" period familiar to many in South Korea. I wish him and all Koreans the best.
Andrew Stormont, Hong Kong

For the sake of the Asia-Pacific region, he had better make a difference.
James, Solomon Islands

The real difference is going to be had when the US policy of standing up to North Korea's brinksmanship pays off and the North implodes just like the former Soviet Union. There is no reason at all to think that Roh's continuation of the Sunshine Policy is going to do anything but encourage the North to be more provocative.
Tom, USA

Unfortunately, no. Not because of any inadequacy on his part, but because the ruler of North Korea cares ONLY about one thing: remaining in power. He tries and will try to hang on to power at ALL costs. No amount of goodwill and reasonable negotiation make any difference. Sadly, although China these days are in reality closer with South Korea socio-economically, they won't help much to push to transform Korea for the better. This is because strategically, they don't want a free and strong Korea on the door step.
K Wren, UK

The firing of missile during the inauguration of the SK Leader is 'baptism of fire' and this will make him more resolved and make a difference in the long-run.
Edphert Nsadzu, Malawi

This president is placed between a rock and a hard place James, USA

Unfortunately, this president is placed between a rock and a hard place. That is, he must balance the internal concerns, which includes US tension within the nation, while maintaining a relationship with foreign leaders, like Mr. Bush, to ensure security of his people from his neighbour North Korea. I believe this is a great time for the nation and President Roh will re-write the history of South Korea.
James, USA

He'll make a difference all right. He is likely to cause a pullout of US forces in the next couple of years, just as the North is getting more dangerous. He was elected with an anti-US mandate, and seems not to understand the danger of the NK situation. This does not look good for S Korea.
Kim Hye-Jong, Korea living in US

It`s a webocracy! President will make a great result.
Sungwonius, South Korea

In 1950 the Chinese army entered North Korea to repel the US troops who had crossed the 38th parallel. Now that China is a 'capcom' (capitalist/communist) country, they should do so again for the purpose of reining in the North Korean government. Just as the Americans occupied Japan and Germany after World War II and as they are planning to occupy Iraq, I can see China playing a helpful role by occupying N Korea for awhile and easing the transition to a reunited Korea.
Bob Kelso, USA

South Korean President Mr. Roh Moo-Hyun is a good man. But it will be very difficult for His Excellency to solve the problem with North Korea. N Korea knows how to play the game of politics better.
Sam Rupani, USA

Roh Moo-hyun, has said he would work closely with the US but his election campaign said that he would never bow down to America. How can this man make a difference when he answers to America and turns his back on his voters by changing policy in an instant?
Attiq WattyAshgar, UK / Pakistan

Let's hope so...can't be difficult to do a better job than George Bush - who we have to thank for this crisis in the first place after he placed North Korea in his 'axis of evil'!
Rachel H, Italy

Roh has a tough road ahead for him in relations with the US Rod, USA

Roh has a tough road ahead for him in relations with the US. He essentially has to prove his loyalty and wisdom toward defending S Korea from invasion, because without power, food, and basic services, N Korea is poised to take over S Korea and risk a war with the US. When people don't get what they want in a communist society, they have in the past been willing to take it away from their own neighbours.
Rod, USA

It will be still harder for any Korean leader to have a say in current international political climate. Ultimately, South Korean policies for her neighbours have been prescribed by America. It is doubtful whether the new president can maintain the fragile balance while North Korea is feeling threatened by this 'new world order.'
M K Kim, UK/Korea

Yes, if he finds a way to get rid of the aggressive USA presence, there will be a far better chance for a united Korea.....but the USA doesn't want that - so it seems!
Ray Owen, Switzerland

Why does Mr.Kondracki believe that an essential facet of a South Korean President should include first-hand knowledge of the United States? (my God, the naivety and arrogance of Americans knows no bounds!) It would be the last thing on my list when voting for a President (perhaps even if I were a US citizen!) Mr. Roh's main problem on taking office is the situation created by the USA's historical failure to keep promises and bargains made with North Korea, and their currently continuing reluctance to engage in dialogue with them.
Mke Flannery, Malaysia

Sure he can! Roh Moo-hyun can't help but be successful because a unified Korea is Kim Jong-il's dream also. Kim Jong-Il will make this long sought reunion happen�soon. He's probably already getting new, higher shoes for his Nobel Peace Prize speech. Naturally, Mr Roh will no longer have a job, of course. Maybe he can be the Korean Ambassador to the UN. After all, like the UN, he is well acquainted with appeasement.
Mike Chittum, USA

One of your correspondents indicated that the road to unity is not an easy one. I can assure you that it would be a lot easier if (a) the USA went home and took their 37,000 troops with them; and (b) The USA honoured its 1994 commitment to North Korea.
Allen Gray, South Korea

I wish the new South Korean president well, and I hope his sunshine policies toward the North work wonders, because I would love nothing more than to see an end to my hard-earned tax dollars going to defend the ungrateful South Korean people.
Robert, USA

Most reports about North Korea are one-sided SookHee, South Korea

I think most reports about North Korea are too one-sided. Firing missile by NK may be associated with the planning for the military practice by US-South Korea and NK also has done it as an annual practice so far. I guess NK is really afraid of being attacked by US and I understand that. I believe Mr Roh can work it out, because he understands NK situation and North Korean's mentality very well. But I'd like to say to Kim Jeongil; please show us some manners!!
SookHee, South Korea

I am confident that he can, and this difficult situation may be a good chance to show his ability to S.Korean and world. I hope he can bring a peace to Korea Peninsula and world.
Frank Lee, U.S.A.

Maybe we have it wrong. We usually respond to the inaugurations of other countries' newly elected leaders with diplomatic displays of congratulations or flowers or visits by dignitaries or something. North Korea sends a missile. How nice! As if to say "Here's a small token of our appreciation for the sunshine movement! Please don't be intimidated. We are merely demonstrating how we can combat against the invasion of jellyfish on your country. Many happy returns."
Doug, USA

I think Roh will eventually settle into office after some initial bumps. Roh and Bush are actually very similar men and the very same criticisms levelled at Roh were once reserved for Bush (not cosmopolitan enough, precarious political stance, etc.). Look now, George W. Bush is firmly entrenched in American minds as their supreme leader. I believe Roh will follow a similar path.
Zontrell, USA

Roh Moo-hyun's election marks a historical moment for the Koreas Earl Yarington, USA

Yes, Roh Moo-hyun's election marks a historical moment for the Koreas. U.S. policy has always treated South Korea as "second-class" and, in fact, it's similar to a parent/child relationship. Asia needs to put pressure on the U.S. since it is the most aggressive nation in the world.
Earl Yarington, USA

Roh Moo-hyun will be good for South Korea if he is able to end corruption that has long plagued the S Korean government and if he is able to work with the US. There are those who believe he was elected in part because he was not kow-towing to the States. However, when comparing a future of Korea dominated by the North or influence and co-operation with the US; the benefits social, economic and on a common sense level all point to importance of President Roh's dedication to actually helping the people of N Korea to be free, while insuring that his own people in the South remain free.
Benjamin, Japan

Unfortunately he has started his job as the president with the worst ever diplomatic situation caused by North Korea. Consensus in S Korea is pushing him into a hard line and asking him to be a tough guy. I'm not his supporter personally but I can say that he is tough enough to face it and smart enough to handle it as he taught himself to pass S. Korean notoriously difficult bar exam. But the crucial thing in the diplomatic field is experience and it takes lots of mistakes. I hope it wouldn't happen in this case and his cabinet is more capable than I expect
Ju Jeongsu, South Korea

It will be a turning point in Korean history Amber E. Kim, S.Korea

We all Koreans believe in Mr Roh and support him because he makes a difference. It will be a turning point to rewrite Korean History. It is just a beginning. He will make it.
Amber E. Kim, S.Korea

Compared to KDJ, Roh seems to be a relatively inexperienced leader, especially in dealing with foreign affairs. Thus, I predict there's not much change in his foreign policy in short term, but in long run, if his overwheming popularity among the South Korean still persists, the US-SK alliance may have a subtle and gradual transformation.
Vicky, Hong Kong

Roh Moo-hyun is an idealistic labour lawyer with more sympathy for a northern "Workers' State" of Kim Jong-il than for a capitalistic model in the South. He honestly believes that he can appease the communist dictator in Pyongyang with money, food and, yes, kow-towing. What's even worse, he does not have any diplomatic experience and, last but not least, no first hand knowledge of the United States. All this does not bode well for a future.
Mirek Kondracki, USA

Firing or testing of a long-range missile by North Korea at the inauguration of a South Korea leader is too militaristic, disrespectful and undiplomatic; especially in this era of unification overtures on both sides from people and families torn apart by Cold War polarisation and Marxist-Leninist isolationism of the North.
Igonikon Jack, USA

I think it is important that the volatile situation in Korea is dealt with diplomatically and swiftly. Whether this can be achieved when US marines are positioned with guns pointing towards Pyongang or not will be a real test of the new leader in the South.
Anna Su , Glasgow (formerly Korea)

The only power South Korea has to ease tensions in its region is to surrender to North Korea. That's not going to happen.
Mark, UK

The uniting road ahead of the two Koreas is not an easy one R Josey, Canada/Korea

Can President Roh Moo-hyun make a difference? Perhaps if he is a good negotiator. I don't understand just how the two governments, that of S.Korea and N.Korea, would ever be able to share power. The present leader in the N. thinks that he has a dynasty. The uniting road ahead of the two Koreas is not an easy one. I can't possibly see how any leader could bring that about.
R Josey, Canada/Korea

Let's hope that his determination on supporting freedom and democracy within South Korea and outside the country will be intact. Speaking of which, I am concerned with his softy-softy approach to North Korea and China. I am not opposing to S Korea's relations with the two countries. I think he must not be too naive in bending over to China and N Korea's cunning plan to spread the idea of oppression and aggression with force and corrupt political practices and characters. He is not tough enough, I am afraid.
Sam Huang, Taiwan (now in the UK)

Certainly can, and much more helpful then George W.
Stan, Australia