Washington: The previous Biden administration placed South Korea in the "lowest" category of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s "sensitive and other designated countries list (SCL)" in early January, with no additional restrictions imposed on the Asian ally since then, as stated by the department's spokesperson on Friday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the spokesperson addressed concerns that the classification, set to take effect on April 15, might hinder South Korea's participation in U.S. research on advanced technologies, including atomic energy, artificial intelligence, or quantum technology. This move has caused unease in Seoul, as South Korea seeks closer collaboration with the United States in nuclear energy and other sectors, amid Washington's concerns about public calls for Seoul to secure its own nuclear program due to escalating North Korean threats.
The spokesperson explained that the prior administration had added the Republic of Korea (ROK) to the lowest category (Other Designated Country) of the SCL in early January 2025, in response to a query from Yonhap News Agency. The Energy Department aims to collaborate with the ROK to advance mutual interests, noting that no new restrictions on bilateral science and technology cooperation with South Korea currently exist.
The SCL is a group of countries subject to particular consideration for policy reasons during the DOE's internal review and approval process for foreign nationals' access, according to the DOE website. The list includes countries like North Korea, China, and Russia, often for reasons related to national security, nuclear nonproliferation, or terrorism support.
The reasoning behind the Biden administration's decision to place South Korea on the SCL remains unclear. South Korea has been experiencing political uncertainty since late last year due to President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment over a martial law bid in early December, raising concerns about potential negative impacts on policy coordination between Seoul and Washington.
The DOE spokesperson emphasized that inclusion on the list does not necessarily signify an adversarial relationship with the United States. Many designated countries cooperate with the U.S. on energy, science, technology, counterterrorism, and nonproliferation issues. Inclusion on the SCL does not prevent Americans or DOE personnel from engaging with listed countries, nor does it prohibit scientific or technical cooperation, although such interactions undergo an internal review beforehand.
Seoul is engaged in consultations with Washington to prevent the official addition of South Korea to the SCL, according to a diplomatic source. The source confirmed that the preceding Biden administration placed South Korea on the list, and South Korean authorities are negotiating with the U.S. to address the issue before it takes effect on April 15. During a recent parliamentary session, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul mentioned that Seoul has raised the issue with the U.S. government, expressing hope for discussions once the United States assesses the situation internally.