SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- Rival parties are clashing over the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) designation of South Korea as a "sensitive country," with the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) blaming the administration of the impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol for this significant diplomatic setback. The DOE's designation, which puts South Korea at the lowest level on its list of sensitive countries, has sparked heated debate on South Korean soil.
On March 16, 2025, DP members publicly accused Yoon's administration of incompetence, linking the international snub to his failed martial law bid last December. "The designation as a 'sensitive country' is the first-ever downgrade of the South Korea-U.S. alliance, which has steadily developed since the Korean War," stated Rep. Cho Seung-rae, the DP's senior spokesperson. He asserted, "The political, economic, diplomatic, and security crises currently faced by South Korea are due to President Yoon's inept leadership and failures." Cho's comments underline the growing frustrations among opposition lawmakers.
The People Power Party (PPP), currently ruling, has countered these assertions by blaming the DP's relentless efforts to impeach the president for undermining the government's diplomatic strategies. PPP spokesperson Rep. Kwon Dong-wook stated, "The DP should refrain from making hasty judgments and politically exploiting this issue," emphasizing the impact of political strife on diplomatic relations. He pointed to instances wherein the impeachment efforts have led to instability within the government, driving tensions both domestically and with external partners.
The DOE had placed South Korea on this sensitive list earlier in January 2025, following increasing concerns about the nation's potential drive for its own nuclear capabilities. According to analysts, Washington has become wary of rising demands from conservative factions within South Korea advocating for nuclear armament due to perceived threats from North Korea. Lee Chun-geun, of the Korea Institute of Science & Technology Evaluation and Planning, remarked, "This designation serves as a warning from the U.S. to quench calls for nuclear weapons development."
Given the DOE's labeling, which designates South Korea along with nations like Iran, China, and Russia, this move poses selecting pressures on both cooperation and collaboration, potentially impacting fields such as nuclear energy and artificial intelligence.
Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies, warned of the broader repercussions this designation may have on future denuclearization talks, noting, "With Trump calling North Korea a ‘nuclear power’ and designates South Korea as sensitive, it could weaken Seoul's negotiation strength moving forward." The urgency to overturn this designation has become palpable, as it is set to take effect on April 15, 2025.
The South Korean foreign ministry is fully aware of the geopolitical ramifications of this designation as its officials aim to mitigate the fallout through high-level negotiations with U.S. counterparts. Unfortunately, with President Yoon currently suspended from his duties due to the impeachment process, many express concern about the government's diplomatic capabilities under interim leadership. Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul's attempts to engage Washington since Trump’s inauguration have stalled.
Analyzing the situation reveals severe lapses within South Korea's diplomatic framework. How could officials fail to confirm their country’s status change, especially with media reports surfacing days before official acknowledgment from the U.S.? Despite the ministry’s defense citing the transition of administrations as problematic, many argue this excuse holds little water against the backdrop of growing national threats.
Domestic public sentiment is also pivotal to the narrative. Recent surveys indicate broad support among South Koreans for the idea of increasing nuclear capabilities; 71.4% of respondents from a JoongAng Ilbo survey conducted last October expressed support for nuclear armament if North Korea persisted with its nuclear program. This alarming trend may be contributing to the U.S. designation, indicating not just diplomacy but public opinion as significant factors influencing the bilateral relationship.
The perception among South Koreans is not one of unruly ambition for nuclear capabilities but rather as protective measures against the daily threat posed by North Korea’s nuclear advancements, creating heightened anxiety. This growing perception of insecurity seems to tie back to President Yoon's controversial comments made on January 11, 2023, when he stated South Korea might need to explore options for redeploying U.S. tactical nuclear weapons or even considering developing its own capabilities if threats escalated. While Yoon later sought to clarify his intentions, such remarks have inflamed the public discourse around nuclear armament, leading to fears about potentially severe repercussions.
With both parties at the helm of political blame games, the need for active, unified diplomatic efforts could not be more pressing. Engaging directly with U.S. partners, reaffirming Seoul's commitment to nuclear nonproliferation, and mitigating domestic fears surrounding North Korea remain key priorities. Without concentrated efforts among South Korean politicians, the looming April 15 deadline will solidify the current barriers to scientific cooperation and international engagement within sensitive areas.
Whether these domestic political fixtures can effectively tackle the fallout remains to be seen. Time is of the essence for the Government of South Korea to redraw the narrative and restore its standing with the U.S. before the designation takes hold.