S. Korean Nuclear Experts Warn U.S. ‘Sensitive Country’ Designation Could Hinder Cooperation

Seoul: South Korean nuclear energy experts on Saturday raised concerns that Washington's recent designation of Seoul as a "sensitive country" could hamper future bilateral cooperation and disrupt ongoing projects in the field.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 move occurred during the end of the previous Joe Biden administration. While the DOE maintains that the designation does not prohibit scientific or technical cooperation, South Korean experts argue that it could weaken long-standing industry ties between the two allies, potentially impacting Seoul's nuclear industry.Yun Jong-il, a professor of nuclear engineering at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), expressed concerns that the designation could be "a major obstacle" to nuclear energy cooperation between the two countries, affecting both the governmental and pri vate sectors. He highlighted that South Korea and the U.S. have long collaborated on international joint research in nuclear technology, particularly in its peaceful applications. This designation, he warned, might challenge existing projects and future cooperation.Professor Yun also noted that researchers who previously engaged in academic and industrial exchanges without special approvals might face future restrictions, potentially discouraging personal and institutional interactions. He further cautioned that private-sector nuclear energy projects could encounter setbacks, especially for South Korean firms like SK Group and Doosan Enerbility, which have made significant investments in the U.S. nuclear sector.Yun speculated that the U.S. decision might have been influenced by recent discussions in South Korea's political circles about nuclear armament. He emphasized the need for the South Korean government to communicate its nonproliferation stance to the U.S. and seek diplomatic solutions.Some expert s believe that South Korea's SCL designation is reversible. They suggest that diplomatic dialogue and a stabilization of political rhetoric around nuclear armament could lead to its removal from the DOE list. Lee Jae-gi, professor emeritus of nuclear engineering at Hanyang University, pointed out that the DOE's designation is separate from the International Atomic Energy Agency's classifications, indicating that the situation remains fluid.A senior nuclear energy industry official stressed the importance of South Korea maintaining transparency in nuclear nonproliferation and export controls, while an official at South Korea's Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP) stated that the company was monitoring the DOE listing's impact closely. The KHNP official reaffirmed the company's commitment to nonproliferation and ongoing cooperation with U.S. partners, highlighting the need for transparency.Beyond nuclear energy, other forms of cooperation between the two countries in advanced technologies could also fac e challenges. For instance, the Korea Institute of Science and Technology has been collaborating with U.S. research centers like the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, and Brookhaven National Laboratory.Experts emphasized that proactive diplomacy by South Korea could prevent potential fallout from the listing. Professor Yun highlighted that weakening ongoing nuclear cooperation would be a loss for both South Korea and the U.S., which has benefited from robust industry and research ties with Seoul.