Kim Geon, Lawmaker of the Democratic Party, Says "US 'Sensitive Country' Designation Will Be Resolved in the Near Future"

As the U.S. Department of Energy's 'sensitive countries' list, which includes South Korea, is set to take effect on the 15th of next month, Kim Geon, a member of the People Power Party, said on the 24th, "It would be good if it happens before April 15, but I believe it will be resolved in the near future."

Kim Geon, Member of the People Power Party (National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee Whip). Provided by the member's office

Kim, who serves as the ruling party's spokesperson on the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, made this remark during an interview on YTN Radio's "News Fighting, Kim Young-su" when asked by the host if the designation as a sensitive country would soon be lifted.

Kim stated, "This is basically understood as a technical measure taken by the working-level department of the U.S. Department of Energy," adding, "According to what Minister Cho Tae-yeol (Foreign Affairs) mentioned in the National Assembly, when we inquired with the Department of Energy, it seems no one there was aware of it." He continued, "Currently, there is an agreement between the two countries to resolve this issue," and added, "It takes time because procedures must be followed to address the complaints or concerns held by the working-level department."

With only about three weeks left until the effective date of the sensitive countries list on the 15th of next month, when asked about alternatives if the designation cannot be lifted before then, Kim said, "It will cause some inconvenience in exchanges between Korean and American scientists," and added, "It seems that both countries are preparing measures to minimize such inconveniences."

Meanwhile, regarding the Constitutional Court's ruling on the impeachment trial of Prime Minister Han Deok-su, scheduled for 10 a.m. that day, Kim said, "I naturally expect the impeachment to be dismissed," and predicted, "If Prime Minister Han returns, communication between South Korea and the U.S. will improve significantly."