Gov't looking into U.S. DOE's potential move to list S. Korea as "sensitive country"

The government is looking into a potential move by the U.S. Department of Energy, to categorize South Korea as a "sensitive country."

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul said at the National Assembly on Tuesday that the government has raised the issue with the energy department, adding that the department is now in the process of reassessing the inclusion of Seoul on its "Sensitive Foreign Nations Control" list.

He added that Washington does not appear to have finalized South Korea's designation yet.

Cho's comments come a day after Korean local media said the department was reportedly considering adding South Korea to its new list set to be effective starting April 15th.

Countries can be placed on the list for national security, national security, nuclear nonproliferation, or terrorism support reasons among others.

Those currently classified as this type of nation include China, Russia, Cuba and North Korea.