Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon lamented that the South Korean government had been unaware for over two months that the United States had designated South Korea as a "sensitive country," calling it a "diplomatic disaster." Furthermore, he stated that the prompt adoption of the impeachment against the leader of the insurrection has been delayed and announced that he will continue his one-person protest demanding the "dismissal of the leader of the insurrection."
After holding a one-person protest at Uijeongbu Station after work on the 17th, Governor Kim told reporters, "It is urgent to promptly adopt the impeachment to end martial law and the insurrection," expressing concern that "we have now been designated as a sensitive country by the United States, the economy is struggling, and the country is being torn apart due to political uncertainty."
He continued, "There must be a prompt adoption of the impeachment to end martial law and the insurrection," and added, "I held a one-person protest at Uijeongbu Station today to advocate for such measures."
He also expressed his intention to continue the one-person protest, saying, "As governor, I will continue to raise my voice as much as possible within the scope that does not interfere with my duties and keep insisting on the necessity of prompt impeachment adoption."
Regarding the U.S. designation of South Korea as a sensitive country, Governor Kim criticized, "The government did not know about the designation for over two months," adding, "Being designated as a sensitive country is a problem, but the fact that it was ignored for two months is an even bigger problem."
He further stated, "This is truly a diplomatic disaster," and added, "These issues arise from the absence of our leadership and the central government, and to resolve this quickly, the swift end of martial law and the insurrection and the prompt adoption of impeachment are the first steps toward the solution."
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) designates sensitive countries for reasons including national security, nuclear non-proliferation, regional instability, economic security threats, and support for terrorism. Being classified as a sensitive country strictly limits exchanges and cooperation with the U.S. in advanced technology fields such as nuclear power, artificial intelligence (AI), and quantum science. The designation was made in January of this year during the Biden administration and will take effect on April 15.
Finally, Governor Kim appealed to the citizens of Uijeongbu, saying, "Uijeongbu is the gateway city to northern Gyeonggi Province," and urged, "I ask the citizens of Uijeongbu to join forces in recognizing the urgent need for the early adoption of impeachment to end martial law and the insurrection as soon as possible to overcome the current difficulties and the crisis facing our country."
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