"Active Request for Non-Discriminatory Treatment of South Korea"
Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Anduk Geun will revisit Washington D.C., USA on the 20th and 21st to meet with key figures such as the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and Secretary of Energy. This comes three weeks after his last visit to the U.S. During this visit, he is expected to request the removal of South Korea from the Sensitive Countries and Other Designated Countries List (SCL).
According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on the 19th, Minister Ahn will meet again with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick to reiterate the South Korean government's position regarding tariff measures. Previously, the U.S. announced that it would disclose country-specific reciprocal tariff rates on the 2nd of next month.
Minister Ahn plans to emphasize the contribution of South Korean companies to the U.S. economy through mutually beneficial cooperation such as investment in the U.S., and actively request non-discriminatory treatment toward South Korea.
Additionally, Minister Ahn will hold his first meeting with U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright since his appointment to discuss cooperation measures to strengthen energy security in various fields including nuclear power, energy supply, and power infrastructure. In particular, he is expected to request the removal of South Korea from the U.S. government's designated 'Sensitive Countries and Other Designated Countries List.'
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 political 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's enforcement. If listed on the SCL, the U.S. Department of Energy may restrict technology sharing related to national security, personnel exchanges, joint research, and project participation in research cooperation.
Minister Ahn said, "Through cooperation in investment and trade between Korea and the U.S., the industrial ecosystems of both countries are closely connected," adding, "We will emphasize that cooperation between Korea and the U.S. is very important in strategic industries such as shipbuilding, energy, and advanced industries."
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