Seoul: The United States anticipates maintaining "continued" and "robust" cooperation with South Korea in the realm of scientific research, a spokesperson from the State Department announced on Wednesday. This statement comes amid growing concerns that South Korea's recent inclusion on the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) "sensitive country" list could impede collaborative efforts between the two nations.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Tammy Bruce, the State Department spokesperson, addressed the issue as the DOE confirmed that the previous Biden administration added South Korea to the "Sensitive and Other Designated Countries List" earlier this year. This list also includes nations like North Korea, China, and Russia. Bruce specified that the Department of Energy should be consulted for details regarding the designation, emphasizing the importance of the U.S.-South Korea relationship in scientific research.
The new designation is scheduled to take effect on April 15 and includes countries that will face increased scrutiny when requesting access to DOE research institutions or facilities for technology cooperation. Acting U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Joseph Yun commented that South Korea's inclusion resulted from "mishandling of sensitive information" during exchanges between scientific research institutions but downplayed its significance.
The designation has sparked significant media coverage in South Korea, with many South Koreans expressing concern over their country's association with North Korea, China, and Russia on the list. This development has raised questions about trust in the longstanding U.S.-South Korea alliance.
In related news, Bruce also addressed military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, describing it as a "perfect" example of how North Korea has played a role in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. She expressed concern over North Korea's direct involvement and military support to Russia, urging an end to any reciprocal support from Russia to North Korea.