South Korea says it agreed with U.S. to swiftly resolve 'sensitive country' status

South Korea and U.S. work to resolve DOE designation issue, sparking concerns over nuclear armament and tariffs.

South Korea and the United States have agreed to work together to swiftly resolve any fallout from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) designation of South Korea as a "sensitive country," the Industry Ministry in Seoul said on Friday (March 21, 2025.)

The DOE has not explained why it put its Asian ally on the watchlist, which also includes China, Iran, Russia and North Korea, but the South Korean government has faced criticism for apparently only recently becoming aware of the move that was carried out in January.

South Korea's Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun is visiting Washington, D.C. for the second time in a month as concerns also mount over U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to impose tariffs on a swath of trading partners and sectors.

Trump discusses relationship with India, believes it will cut tariffs substantially on U.S. goods

"Our concern over the inclusion on the list of 'Sensitive and Other Designated Countries' was explained and South Korea and the U.S. agreed to cooperate to swiftly resolve the issue under procedures provided," the Industry Ministry said.

“Mr. Ahn met U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright on Thursday (March 20, 2025) to convey the view and the pair also discussed cooperation in the energy field,” it said in a statement.

Joseph Yun, the acting U.S. Ambassador in Seoul, said on Tuesday (March 18, 2025) that South Korea was added on the list because visitors to the DOE's labs mishandled sensitive information.