Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "Including US Sensitive Countries, Understood as Security Issue, Not Foreign Policy"

Likely Included Due to Security Regulation Violations at DoE-Affiliated Research Institutes

The U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) included South Korea on its 'Sensitive Countries List' due to security issues related to DoE-affiliated research institutes, according to the South Korean government.

Exterior view of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building

On the 17th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "After contacting the U.S. side, it was understood that South Korea was placed in the lowest tier of the Sensitive Countries List not due to diplomatic policy issues but because of security-related problems at research institutes under the Department of Energy."

The U.S. side reportedly explained to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that South Korea was included on the list because cases were detected where Korean researchers violated security regulations during business trips or joint research at DoE-affiliated research institutes.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "The U.S. side confirmed that even if South Korea is listed on this list, it will not have a significant impact on technological cooperation such as joint research between South Korea and the U.S."

Furthermore, "we are actively consulting with relevant U.S. government agencies to ensure that there is no negative impact on science, technology, and energy cooperation between South Korea and the U.S.," and "we plan to continue efforts to resolve the issue."

The DoE previously added South Korea in early January to the lowest category of the 'Sensitive Countries and Other Designated Countries List (SCL),' classified as 'Other Designated Country,' drawing attention to the background of this decision.