Seoul: South Korea will actively pursue its removal from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) list of "sensitive" countries to enhance bilateral energy cooperation, as stated by Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun on Thursday. Minister Ahn announced this initiative as he embarked on a two-day visit to Washington to engage with U.S. officials, including Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Minister Ahn emphasized the exploration of various strategies, including obtaining an exclusion from the DOE list, to mitigate any potential adverse effects on local industries and technological collaboration between South Korea and the United States. His visit comes at a time of heightened concern over the DOE's designation, which could lead to new restrictions on scientific and technological partnerships between the two nations. This trip marks his second visit to the U.S. in three weeks.
Minister Ahn mentioned that the industry ministry believes the listing is due to technical security issues, as previously indicated by the foreign ministry. During his discussions with Secretary Wright, he plans to address these concerns from the U.S. administration. The agenda also includes strengthening bilateral cooperation in energy sectors such as nuclear power plants, small modular reactors, and gas.
In upcoming discussions with Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, Ahn intends to evaluate the economic feasibility of the Alaskan gas pipeline project and explore potential involvement for Korean companies. Ahn highlighted the U.S. administration's firm stance on tariffs, expressing that while efforts will be made to secure exemptions, negotiations will continue to minimize any negative impact on Korean industries.
Regarding U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's comments on "Dirty-15" countries with high tariffs on U.S. goods, Ahn noted the uncertainty of South Korea's inclusion on this list. He pointed out that under the bilateral free trade agreement, U.S. imports face virtually no tariffs, but acknowledged ongoing non-tariff barrier issues that the U.S. has raised. Government agencies are collaborating to address these concerns.
In a recent dialogue with South Korea's trade minister, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer reportedly highlighted issues such as Seoul's sanitary and phytosanitary measures, restrictions on geographic data for Google Maps, and digital regulations, suggesting these could be perceived as non-tariff barriers by the U.S. Ahn underscored the complexity of the situation, emphasizing efforts to build trust with the U.S. and to create favorable conditions for South Korean industries in light of any U.S. policy changes or tariff adjustments.