The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted on the 13th that it is in close consultation with relevant U.S. agencies regarding reports that the U.S. Department of Energy is considering classifying South Korea as a 'sensitive country.'
Spokesperson Lee Jae-yong stated during a regular briefing that the sensitive country list of the U.S. Department of Energy is not final and added, 'The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively responding to this issue in cooperation with relevant departments.' In relation to this matter, the government is reportedly communicating with the U.S. Department of Energy through the South Korean embassy in Washington.
Earlier, signs emerged that the U.S. Department of Energy is considering classifying South Korea as a sensitive country. The Department of Energy oversees matters related to energy, nuclear energy, and nuclear policy, and classifies certain countries as sensitive due to reasons related to national security, nuclear non-proliferation, regional instability, economic security threats, and support for terrorism. If classified as a sensitive country, South Korean researchers wishing to participate in advanced technology research related to nuclear energy, AI, and other fields at U.S. national research institutions or universities would have to undergo stricter certification processes than before. Currently, eight countries, including India and Israel, are classified as sensitive countries.
Meanwhile, Minister Cho Tae-yul stated during a National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee meeting on the 11th that 'it seems correct to say that the classification as a sensitive country is not yet finalized,' indicating that South Korea raised the issue based on information received through unofficial channels, which led the U.S. Department of Energy to reassess the situation. In this context, U.S. Deputy Ambassador to South Korea Joseph Yun responded to questions from reporters at a forum on the 11th about whether South Korea would be classified as a sensitive country with plans for an announcement next month, saying, 'Nothing has been decided yet.'