U.S. designation of S. Korea as 'sensitive country' to go into effect on Apr. 15

The U.S. Energy Department's designation of South Korea as a "sensitive country" goes into effect tomorrow that is Tuesday.

While the designation does NOT set new restrictions it does mandate internal reviews before joint programs or actual visits to listed countries.

Accordingly pundits fear the designation will hinder collaboration between Seoul and Washington in areas such as nuclear energy and artificial intelligence.

The Korean government had not been notified of the designation by Washington in advance although the decision had been made under the Biden administration.