The United States Department of Energy has designated South Korea as a “sensitive country.” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Choi Sang-mok, acting on behalf of the presidency, called for contact with the United States to prevent negative situations.

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has placed South Korea on the “sensitive countries” list.

According to DOE’s definition, countries can be placed on the “sensitive countries list” due to national security, regional instability, threats to national economic security, support for terrorism, or nuclear issues.

PLACED IN THE LOWEST CATEGORY

According to Yonhap, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Choi Sang-mok commented on the US Department of Energy’s designation of South Korea in the lowest category of the “sensitive countries” list. Choi instructed contact with the US to prevent negative impacts on energy cooperation between the two countries.

CALL FOR COLLABORATION AMONG GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

To ensure that the science, technology, and energy cooperation between South Korea and the US is not affected by this situation, Choi called on relevant government agencies to “actively explain the situation” to Washington, particularly urging Minister of Industry Ahn Duk-geun to meet with his American counterpart.

DECISION MADE AFTER IMPOSITION OF MARTIAL LAW

The US Department of Energy had announced on March 15 that after the failed martial law attempt in South Korea, the country was placed in the “lowest category of the sensitive countries list.” The decision to place South Korea in the “lowest category of the sensitive countries list” was reportedly made by the former US President Joe Biden’s administration, as stated in the DOE’s announcement.

“SENSITIVE COUNTRIES”

It has been speculated that if countries are included in this list, South Korean researchers may face difficulties working on projects related to the DOE. Foreign Minister of South Korea Cho Tae-yul had mentioned on March 11 that it was learned from unofficial sources that the US was considering placing the country on the “sensitive countries list.”