Rival parties blame each other after the United States officially confirmed on March 15, 2025, its classification of South Korea as a "sensitive" country under the previous Biden administration. The designation, made under the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) earlier this year, raises questions about potential complications for bilateral energy and scientific cooperation.
The DOE clarified this classification places South Korea under the "Other Designated Country" category, the lowest tier on the sensitive country list. This classification, confirmed after media inquiries, indicates bureaucratic hurdles for South Korean researchers, who must now submit their activities for internal review before collaboration with DOE-affiliated institutions.
While the DOE maintains this designation does not signify adversarial relations, experts express concern over its potential impact on sensitive sectors, particularly nuclear technology and AI. Innovation and collaboration might slow down due to these added bureaucratic requirements. "Currently, we have around 12 billion won ($8.25 million) worth of joint research between our research institutes and those under the DOE," commented Yoo Sang-im, South Korea's Minister of Science and ICT. He added, "This designation does not cancel existing projects, but it introduces inconveniences, such as requiring [our researchers] to report their activities 45 days in advance.”
The Biden administration had not disclosed the rationale for this classification, leaving many to speculate about its political motives. Some suggest the decision followed political instability within South Korea, stemming from the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol last December over alleged intentions to declare martial law. Han Dong-hoon, former leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), emphasized the need for stabilization: "One of the reasons I acted swiftly to prevent martial law was to avoid international repercussions like this. This is why politics need to be stabilized as soon as possible."
The situation is complex, particularly against the backdrop of recent tensions concerning nuclear technology. There have been notable disputes involving South Korean companies—Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) and its parent company, Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco)—against the U.S. firm Westinghouse Electric Company. Westinghouse's lawsuit from late 2022 claimed misappropriation of reactor technology originally licensed from them, adding layers of complication to the sensitivity of cooperative ventures. Although this legal dispute was resolved on January 17, just prior to the sensitive designation, many experts draw links between the timing of these events.
Public discussions concerning South Korea's potential nuclear armament resurfaced, highlighted by President Yoon's comments during a policy briefing on January 11, 2023, where he stated the possibility of acquiring nuclear weapons if North Korean provocations continued to escalate. Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul recently reaffirmed this sentiment, indicating during parliamentary discussions on February 26, 2025, the notion of nuclear armament remains "not off the table." This was met with staunch opposition, primarily from the Democratic Party (DP), with spokespeople claiming such rhetoric exacerbated already strained diplomatic relations.
Critics like Kim Seong-hoe of the DP argue the administration's overt discussions about developing nuclear capabilities were detrimental: "This dangerous government... must be expelled as soon as possible." The rhetoric surrounding nuclear armament discussions adds to the strain created by the sensitive designation.
Diplomatic tensions escalated when South Korean officials realized they had been classified as sensitive without prior consultation. Cho acknowledged on March 11, 2025, they were still attempting to clarify the rationale behind their designation, relying on unofficial channels for information. “We are taking the matter seriously and will closely cooperate with relevant U.S. government agencies," stated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The impending enforcement of South Korea's designation, effective April 15, 2025, has pushed government representatives to expedite diplomatic efforts. Minister of Trade, Industry, and Energy Ahn Duk-geun plans to visit the United States to discuss these issues with U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright. The South Korean government seeks to highlight its strategic importance and avoid long-term disruptions to technical and scientific collaboration.
Meanwhile, as tensions simmer, the political blame game continues. The PPP accused the opposition DP for hindering foreign policy through their impeachment of government officials. PPP spokesperson Kim Dai-sik commented, "The DP must take responsibility for the national chaos caused by its politically motivated impeachment efforts." Conversely, the DP has pointed to President Yoon's controversial comments and the chaos surrounding his administration as the root causes behind South Korea's sensitive classification.
Political discord undermines effective communication and trust between the two nations, raising concerns about future cooperative undertakings. With the U.S. Department of Energy often providing collaborative opportunities for revolutionary advancements such as nuclear technology and AI research through its 17 national laboratories, the designation threatens to introduce unnecessary barriers.
Experts within the scientific community, including Lee Chun-geun from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Planning and Evaluation, express worry about impending restrictions on personnel exchanges and collaborative efforts moving forward. Historically, significant partnerships have developed from joint ventures, which now appear jeopardized. Proponents of collaboration hope for resolution as diplomatic channels remain open.
With the designation on the horizon, all eyes will be on how South Korea navigates these challenges and whether they can maintain the integrity of their strategic alliance with the U.S. Amid rising geopolitical tensions, both nations must align their aspirations for scientific progress and stability within the Indo-Pacific region.