SEOUL, March 15 (AJP) - The U.S. government officially confirmed Friday that it added South Korea to its “Sensitive and Other Designated Countries List (SCL)” in early January.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) said Friday that South Korea was placed in the lowest category on the list, labeled as an “Other Designated Country,” during the final days of the Biden administration. The list includes countries subject to additional oversight due to concerns related to nuclear nonproliferation, national security, and counterterrorism. Other countries on the list include North Korea, Iran, China, and Russia.
Despite the move, the DOE said the designation does not currently impose any new restrictions on cooperation. “Currently, there are no new restrictions on bilateral science and technology cooperation with the ROK,” the department said in a statement. “The Energy Department looks forward to collaborating with the ROK to advance our mutual interests.”
However, there is speculation that the policy, set to take effect April 15, could complicate nuclear, energy, and advanced technology cooperation between the two allies.
The U.S. government has not disclosed why South Korea was added to the list. However, it is suggested that it may be linked to recent domestic discussions in South Korea around the possibility of developing its own nuclear capabilities, following remarks made last year by President Yoon Suk Yeol.
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