The U.S. Department of Energy's listing of South Korea on the 'Sensitive Country List (SCL)' that restricts cooperation in nuclear, energy, and advanced technologies has sparked fierce political disputes. As the U.S. has not clearly stated the reasons for including South Korea on the SCL, the ruling party claims that the opposition's impeachment offensive has hindered national governance, while the opposition argues that the so-called 'self-nuclear armament theory' raised by some in the conservative camp has led to a diplomatic disaster.
A 'sensitive country' refers to a country that requires special consideration when pursuing cooperation for reasons related to national security, nuclear nonproliferation, regional instability, and terrorism from the U.S. perspective. The inclusion of South Korea, which has been aligned with the U.S. in global nuclear nonproliferation efforts as an ally, on the list is seen as a highly unusual situation within diplomatic circles.
What do diplomats from both the ruling and opposition parties think about the listing on the Sensitive Country List? While there was consensus on the need to remove South Korea's name from the list through smooth discussions with the U.S., there were differences in the analysis of the causes and diplomatic approaches. The opposition reiterated the commitment not to pursue nuclear armament, urging that it should not be mentioned in the conservative camp. Meanwhile, the ruling party suggested that rather than engaging in political strife, the government should create conditions for calm negotiations.
Rep. Kim Gun of the People Power Party, who served as the chief negotiator for the six-party talks on North Korean denuclearization, said on the 17th in a call with ChosunBiz, 'I understand that high-level talks between the South Korean and U.S. governments are scheduled for this week,' adding, 'It is a priority to reach an agreement through intergovernmental consultations. Now is the time to give the government space.'
Rep. Kim, a graduate of the 23rd Foreign Service Examination, has served as the Deputy Director General of the U.S.-North Korean Affairs Bureau, head of the North Korean nuclear diplomacy planning team, ambassador for international security, Vice Minister, and head of the Korea Peace Negotiation Headquarters. He was elected as a proportional representative of the People Power Party in last year's 22nd National Assembly elections. Despite being a first-term member, he has been recognized for his diplomatic experience and serves as the ruling party's secretary of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee in the 22nd National Assembly.
Rep. Kim remarked on the background of the U.S. Department of Energy designating South Korea as a 'sensitive country,' stating, 'The U.S. Department of Energy has not clearly explained it either,' and added, 'It is likely a much more technical issue than we think.' He went on to say, 'There have been mentions of dissatisfaction regarding scientific and technological cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. In turn, resolving the 'sensitive country' designation issue could be an opportunity to strengthen scientific and technological cooperation between South Korea and the U.S.'
He called for a 'calm response' in the process of resolving the issue. If there is too much commotion regarding the 'sensitive country designation,' it could be used as a leverage tool in U.S. diplomacy.
Rep. Kim suggested that 'there is no need to be overly concerned,' citing that around the time the U.S. Department of Energy listed South Korea as a 'sensitive country,' South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in nuclear energy.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the U.S. Department of Energy signed a memorandum of understanding in January stating, 'The two countries have collaborated in the civilian nuclear field for over 70 years, and this cooperation reflects our joint commitment to maximize the peaceful use of nuclear energy in accordance with the highest standards for nuclear safety, security, safeguards, and nonproliferation.' Rep. Kim believes this is a different step from the designation of a 'sensitive country' due to concerns related to national security, nuclear nonproliferation, and terrorism.
Regarding the opposition's claim that the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee should be convened to discuss this issue, Rep. Kim stated, 'The opposition asserts it is due to the conservative camp's 'armament theory,' while the ruling party responds by blaming it on a paralysis of governance caused by the opposition's impeachment offensive. Thus, holding meetings in the Foreign Affairs Committee to launch attacks will not help resolve diplomatic issues.'
What is the opposition's perspective? Rep. Wi Seong-lak of the Democratic Party, who served as the chief negotiator for the six-party talks during the Lee Myung-bak administration, stated, 'The designation as a 'sensitive country' brands it as a country that goes against the principles of nuclear nonproliferation,' asserting, 'There is a need for vigilance regarding the 'self-nuclear armament theory' spreading domestically.'
Rep. Wi, who is a graduate of the 13th Foreign Service Examination, was responsible for North Korean nuclear affairs as the director of the U.S.-North Korean Affairs Bureau during the second North Korean nuclear crisis in 2003. After serving as head of the Korea Peace Negotiation Headquarters in 2009, he was appointed as the ambassador to Russia. He joined Lee Jae-myung's campaign during the last presidential election as a diplomatic advisor and entered the National Assembly as a proportional representative in last year's general election.
Rep. Wi noted, 'Although there have been occasions in the past when South Korea had issues related to nonproliferation, this is the first time it has been branded.' He added, 'During the Park Chung-hee administration, South Korea attempted to pursue nuclear armament but stopped, and in 2004, an incident involving the extraction of uranium and plutonium occurred at the DAEDUCK research complex, prompting an inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency. However, it was never branded as it is now.'
He expressed concern that 'this branding may impose restrictions on future cooperation in the scientific and technological fields.' He said, 'Especially, there may be limitations on the quality and level of cooperation. Cooperation in science and technology between South Korea and the U.S. could be strategized as a second-tier or third-tier alliance.'
He continued, 'In fact, South Korea is the only ally among the U.S. allies that has been branded as a 'sensitive country.' While Israel is on the list, it is not in an alliance with the U.S. It is included on the list because it possesses nuclear weapons.'
Rep. Wi suggested, 'If we can negotiate well between the governments, we could be removed from the list by April 15 before it comes into effect,' but added, 'The more important thing is to gain the trust of the international community. To achieve this, we need to eradicate the 'self-nuclear armament theory' that is spreading throughout our society.'
He added, 'Emotionally, one might think that since North Korea is trying to possess nuclear weapons, shouldn't we also arm ourselves with nuclear weapons? However, pursuing foreign policy based on emotions is extremely dangerous.' He emphasized, 'South Korea is an export-oriented economy and highly dependent on external sources for food and energy. We should approach nuclear issues solely from the perspective of peaceful utilization.'