Washington: South Korean Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun is expected to visit the United States later this week to address Washington's designation of South Korea as a "sensitive" country, government sources announced on Monday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) placed South Korea in the "lowest" category of its "sensitive and other designated countries list" (SCL) in early January. This designation occurred during the final weeks of former U.S. President Joe Biden's administration, following President Yoon Suk Yeol's imposition of martial law in December. The specific reasons for South Korea's classification on the list remain unclear.
Government sources have indicated that South Korea is negotiating with the DOE to facilitate a meeting between Minister Ahn and U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright in Washington later this week. "After reaching a mutual agreement, Ahn could visit the U.S. at the end of this week," a government official stated. The discussions are expected to focus on energy issues, including the Alaska gas development project and nuclear power collaboration.
Ahn is anticipated to seek clarification on Washington's rationale for labeling South Korea as a "sensitive country" and will advocate for the nation's removal from the list. Earlier, acting President Choi Sang-mok directed the industry minister to engage with his U.S. counterpart promptly for active consultations regarding the DOE list. Choi also urged relevant government agencies to communicate the situation to Washington effectively to ensure ongoing U.S.-South Korea cooperation in science, technology, and energy sectors remains intact.
Ahn's visit comes just three weeks after his previous trip to Washington in late February, during which he held discussions with key U.S. trade officials, including Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. However, during that visit, Ahn was unable to meet with Wright due to scheduling conflicts. This time, the discussions are expected to focus significantly on the Alaska gas pipeline project, a major energy initiative from the Donald Trump administration. Seoul has shown interest in the potentially multi-trillion-dollar project, which aligns with its efforts to reduce the trade surplus with the U.S. The U.S. is considering implementing "reciprocal" tariffs on major trade partners to address its trade deficits.