Minjoo: "US Designation of Sensitive Country, First Downgrade of ROK-US Alliance"

Press Briefing by Chief Spokesperson Cho Seungrae on the 16th
Criticizes "Government Was Unaware of the Situation"

Cho Seung-rae, the chief spokesperson of the Democratic Party of Korea, pointed out that the U.S. administration's designation of South Korea as a sensitive country is "the first downgrade of the ROK-U.S. alliance."

Yonhap News

On the 16th, at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Cho held a press briefing and said regarding South Korea's designation as a sensitive country, "It is the 72nd anniversary of the ROK-U.S. alliance, and the alliance has been continuously upgraded over time," adding, "It seems that a diplomatic and security crisis is unfolding (since the December 3 martial law incident), which makes me think this is a more serious situation."

Earlier, the U.S. Department of Energy included South Korea in the list of sensitive countries and other designated countries in early January. Countries with issues related to national security and nuclear non-proliferation, regional instability and economic security threats, and terrorism support are classified as sensitive countries.

Cho criticized, "The South Korean government was not even aware of this situation," and said, "When the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee (FAUC) was held last week, the government was in a state of not having (prior) knowledge."

He continued, "Neither the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Intelligence Service, nor the Presidential Office, anywhere in the government, can confidently explain why this situation occurred, how it progressed, or how it will unfold," adding, "It is a very serious situation."

Regarding the opposition party's response plan, he said, "We plan to convene the FAUC to ask the government for a comprehensive judgment and response to this situation, but there has been no answer from the ruling party side."

He emphasized the importance of the government's role, saying, "Since the U.S. has a separation between the executive and legislative branches, there may be limits to an approach at the congressional level," and "It seems necessary to confirm how South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and further the Ministry of Science and ICT, the judiciary, and other government bodies can closely communicate with the U.S. government."

In the People Power Party, the opposition party, the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol is pointed out as the cause of the sensitive country designation. In response, Cho said, "I cannot tolerate the attitude of People Power Party lawmakers who want to distort the essence of even this serious situation to launch a political offensive," and urged, "I hope they come to their senses."