S. Korea added to U.S. Sensitive List due to security issue, not policy: Gov't

South Korea's addition to the U.S. Sensitive Countries List has been explained by the government, which stated it's due to security concerns at U.S. research facilities.

Kim Jung-sil reports.

Following communication with the U.S., Seoul's Foreign Ministry confirmed that South Korea's inclusion in the lowest tier of the U.S. Energy Department's 'Sensitive and Other Designated Countries List' is due to security-related issues, rather than foreign policy concerns.

Seoul also clarified that U.S. officials said the designation will not significantly impact joint energy research or technology cooperation. The ministry further highlighted that South Korea has been on the list in the past and was removed through similar diplomatic efforts.

It is said that the inclusion follows an incident where security regulations at Idaho National Laboratory, a research institution under the U.S. Energy Department, were breached.

In its semiannual report to Congress for the period ending March last year, the Energy Department listed an instance where a contractor was "terminated after boarding a flight to South Korea with nuclear reactor design software."

The investigation, involving the FBI and Homeland Security, revealed the employee's knowledge of export restrictions and communication with a foreign government.

The U.S. is said to have explained this case as one of several security regulation breaches.

South Korean Minister of Trade, Industry, and Energy Ahn Duk-geun is set to visit the U.S. this week to discuss the issue with his counterpart.

Seoul is committed to engaging with Washington to resolve the issue before the designation takes effect on April 15th.

Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.