The new National Security Adviser, Kwon Chin-ho, said Monday the alliance between South Korea and the United States should be regarded as the foundation for maintaining security in South Korea.

Appearing on a radio news program, Kwon said, "The government will continue to pursue a national security policy based on the South Korea-U.S. alliance."

Noting that his U.S. counterpart Condoleezza Rice has said there is no closer alliance than the one between Seoul and Washington, Kwon said South Korea shares with the United States the position that their meaningful bilateral friendship will continue in the 21st century.

He also stressed the importance of government agencies following any decisions they have made through close consultations, although they may express differing opinions in the decision-making process.

He was addressing recent allegations that clashes over Seoul's American policies between a pro-Washington "alliance" faction and a more nationalistic "independent" faction of the government had led to the dismissal of previous Foreign Minister Yoon Young-kwan and Kwon's predecessor Ra Jong-yil.

Regarding the six-way talks on North Korea's nuclear issue, the new National Security Adviser said he was optimistic about the possibility of a fresh round being held by the end of February.