The Ruling Party That Raised the Nuclear Armament Issue Switches to 'Cautious Mode' After US Designates Sensitive Countries

"No Benefit in Turning Diplomatic Issues into Political Strife"
"The Government's Response Should Be Observed Before the National Assembly Acts"

The People Power Party is taking a cautious stance on the United States designating South Korea as a 'Sensitive and Other Designated Countries List (SCL)' nation. When the opposition party pointed to the 'nuclear armament theory' raised by the Yoon Seok-yeol administration and the ruling party as the cause, they responded that diplomatic issues should not be turned into political strife and that the government's response should be calmly observed.

On the 17th, Kim Geon, the ruling party's floor whip on the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy, "This week, it is desirable to give the government time to identify the cause of the designation as a sensitive country and for the National Assembly to observe and then respond." He showed a cautious attitude toward the Democratic Party's demand to hold a full Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee meeting to hold the government accountable.

Kwon Seong-dong, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 17th. 2025.3.17 Photo by Kim Hyun-min

This is due to concerns that if the National Assembly intervenes in the current situation, it will escalate into political strife without diplomatic benefits. The National Assembly already addressed the issue of the sensitive country designation once at a full Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee meeting on the 11th. Since there has been no progress in discussions, it is believed that a blame game between the ruling and opposition parties would be fruitless. Kim said, "If a full meeting is held now, the government will have to devote all its energy to responding to the National Assembly," adding, "Diplomacy should be a bipartisan cooperation, and it is not desirable for it to become a battleground for political strife."

The People Power Party believes that the designation as a sensitive country could be withdrawn before the list takes effect, depending on the government's diplomatic response. The list is reported to take effect on the 15th of next month. Kim Dae-sik, the chief spokesperson for the party's floor, said on YTN radio that "If we provide a defense against what the U.S. demands, there is sufficient possibility for negotiation," emphasizing, "The ruling and opposition parties should stop political strife and quickly come together to devise a diplomatic strategy."

They also hold a cautious view regarding blaming the nuclear armament theory. The Democratic Party pointed to the nuclear armament theory raised mainly by President Yoon Seok-yeol and the ruling party as the cause of the sensitive country designation. A People Power Party member of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee said, "Personally, I find it hard to believe that the nuclear armament theory is the reason," adding, "I think the U.S. took action due to concerns or dissatisfaction in practical and administrative aspects of bilateral science and technology cooperation." It is analyzed that if it were a response to the nuclear armament theory, there would have been warning remarks from the U.S. Department of Energy or joint responses from the White House and the State Department.

On the other hand, they raise a responsibility argument that the opposition party's frequent impeachment motions have led to a diplomatic crisis. On the same day, Kwon Seong-dong, the floor leader, said at an emergency meeting, "The political chaos caused by the major opposition party has triggered a diplomatic and security crisis," urging, "The quickest way to put out the fire is for the Constitutional Court to promptly dismiss the impeachment of Prime Minister Han." He continued, "Prime Minister Han should return as acting president, appoint the Minister of National Defense first, and the Democratic Party should declare that there will be no more impeachment motions."

The U.S. administration was revealed late to have included South Korea in the sensitive countries list in January, which could restrict cooperation in technologies such as nuclear power. The Biden administration has not disclosed the reasons for adding South Korea to the list.