US State Department "Hopes to Continue Close Scientific Research Cooperation with Korea"

Dodging Direct Answers to "Sensitive Countries List" Question
State Department Refers to Department of Energy's Jurisdiction

The U.S. Department of State stated regarding South Korea's addition to the U.S. Department of Energy's sensitive countries list, "We hope that strong cooperation in the field of scientific research with South Korea will continue."

Tammy Bruce, U.S. Department of State Spokesperson. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

Tammy Bruce, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, responded on the 19th (local time) during a briefing when asked why the Department of Energy placed South Korea on the sensitive countries list, saying, "Since it was designated by the Department of Energy, please direct your inquiries to the Department of Energy." She emphasized, "The United States highly values its close relationship with South Korea in scientific research cooperation."

Earlier, the Department of Energy under the Trump administration announced recently that South Korea was added to the sensitive countries list during the Biden administration in early January, with enforcement starting from April 15. Once included on this list, prior approval from the Department of Energy is required for visits to DOE-related facilities or affiliated research institutions, as well as for joint research with these institutions.

Joseph Yun, the U.S. Charg? d'Affaires in South Korea, explained on the 18th that South Korea was placed on the sensitive countries list due to careless handling of sensitive information and that this is unrelated to South Korea's diplomatic and security policies.

When asked about military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, Bruce said, "It is a perfect example of how a third country like North Korea is sustaining this war (the Ukraine war)," adding, "This is a situation where another country is involved in the war, especially North Korea. They must be held accountable for what is happening." She continued, "We remain concerned about North Korea's direct involvement in the war and the deployment of troops to Russia," and stated, "Any support that Russia provides to North Korea must end."

Regarding discussions about a ceasefire in the Ukraine war, she said, "They (North Korea and Russia) are realizing that the situation is changing," and added, "That is good news."