A South Korean diplomat who oversaw relations with the United States was relieved of his duties on Tuesday over remarks he made that were perceived as challenging President Roh Moo-hyun's diplomacy toward Washington.

Foreign ministry spokesman Shin Bong-kil announced that the Ministry had decided to relieve from his post Cho Hyun-dong, a deputy director of the Foreign Ministry's Division of North American Affairs, and place him on standby at the ministry headquarters.

In addition, the ministry also decided to transfer Cho's immediate supervisor, Wi Sung-lac, director-general of the ministry's North America affairs bureau, to the National Security Council (NSC).

Spokesman Shin said Cho and another official at the North American Affairs Division also received stern reprimands from the new foreign minister, Ban Ki-moon.