Possible Visit to the U.S. as Early as This Week
Discussions on Alaska Oil and Gas Development and Nuclear Power Cooperation
Minister Andeok Geun of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (left) is attending an industry meeting on U.S. steel tariffs held at the POSCO Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the 13th. Steel industry officials, including POSCO President Lee Hee Geun (right), also attended the meeting. 2025.3.13 Photo by Jo Yongjun
Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Anduk Geun is planning to revisit the United States three weeks after completing his visit. It is reported that he will meet with U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright as early as this week to request the removal of South Korea from the U.S. government's 'Sensitive Countries and Other Designated Countries List.'
According to government officials on the 17th, Minister Ahn is discussing a visit to Washington DC with Secretary Wright's side. The visit is expected to take place as early as late this week, with major energy issues such as Alaska oil and gas development and nuclear power cooperation expected to be the main topics of discussion.
In particular, Minister Ahn is expected to request the removal of South Korea from the U.S. government's 'Sensitive Countries and Other Designated Countries List (SCL)' during this visit.
Earlier, the U.S. government included South Korea in the 'Sensitive Countries List,' which targets countries that may pose a threat to national security or have unstable situations, in January. The designation will take effect on the 15th of next month. The South Korean government has stated that it will consult with the U.S. until the list takes effect. Being on the SCL allows the U.S. Department of Energy to restrict technology sharing related to national security, personnel exchanges, joint research, and project participation in research cooperation.
In response, Choi Sang-mok, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, chaired a meeting on external economic issues at the Government Seoul Office this morning and said, "Regarding the inclusion of South Korea in the U.S. Department of Energy's sensitive countries list, related agencies should actively explain to the U.S. side to prevent any negative impact on Korea-U.S. science, technology, and energy cooperation." He added, "Especially, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy should actively consult with the U.S. Energy Secretary during this week."
This will be the first meeting between Minister Ahn and Secretary Wright. During his visit to the U.S. from the 26th to 28th of last month, Minister Ahn met with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamison Greer to convey South Korea's position on U.S. tariff measures and agreed to establish working-level consultative bodies in five areas: shipbuilding, energy, Alaska oil and gas projects, tariffs, and non-tariff barriers. However, due to scheduling conflicts, he was unable to meet Secretary Wright.
A government official said, "If mutual agreement is reached, Minister Ahn may visit the U.S. in late this week. Major energy issues such as Alaska gas development and nuclear power cooperation will be the main topics of consultation."
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