Washington: The Biden administration has placed South Korea in the lowest category of the U.S. Energy Department's "sensitive and other designated countries list (SCL)," according to a statement released by the department's spokesperson. This decision, made in early January, has not introduced any new restrictions on the Asian ally, a move that contrasts with policies from the previous Trump administration.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the inclusion of South Korea in this category raised concerns about potential challenges in joining U.S. research initiatives on advanced technologies, including atomic energy, artificial intelligence, and quantum technology. The decision also sparked unease in Seoul, where officials are eager to strengthen cooperation with the U.S. in nuclear energy and other technological sectors. These developments coincide with discussions in Washington regarding South Korea's potential pursuit of its own nuclear capabilities to address North Korean threats.
The spokesperson clarified that South Korea, officially known as the Republic of Korea (ROK), was added to the "Other Designated Country" category of the SCL in early January 2025. The spokesperson emphasized that there are currently no new restrictions on bilateral science and technology cooperation with South Korea and expressed the Energy Department's eagerness to collaborate with the ROK to advance shared interests.
Seoul is actively engaging in consultations with Washington to avert the formal addition of South Korea to the SCL. The department's spokesperson highlighted that the SCL is extensive but that inclusion does not inherently indicate an adversarial relationship with the United States. The spokesperson noted that many designated countries are those with which the U.S. regularly collaborates on energy, science, technology, counterterrorism, and nonproliferation.
The spokesperson further explained that inclusion on the SCL does not restrict Americans or U.S. Department of Energy personnel from visiting or conducting business with listed countries, nor does it prevent foreign nationals from visiting DOE sites. The official added that scientific or technical cooperation is not prohibited by the designation, as all cooperative efforts undergo an internal review process.