South Korea’s acting President Choi Sang-mok has called for efforts to ensure that the country’s designation as a “sensitive” nation by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) does not negatively affect cooperation in science, technology, and energy.

The DOE’s decision to add South Korea to its sensitive country list has not been accompanied by an official explanation. However, a spokesperson for the department stated that there are no new restrictions on bilateral cooperation in science and technology as a result of the designation.

Following a ministerial meeting, Choi urged South Korean agencies to enhance understanding with Washington and directed the industry minister to meet with the U.S. Secretary of Energy this week to address any concerns.

The development has sparked political debate in Seoul. Opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung criticized the government, calling the designation a “perfect diplomatic failure” that could hinder South Korea’s cooperation with the U.S. in high-tech industries. Meanwhile, ruling party lawmaker Kwon Young-se attributed the issue to the Democratic Party’s stance, accusing it of fueling anti-U.S. sentiment and impeaching government officials, including President Yoon Suk Yeol, which he claimed contributed to the DOE's decision.

The DOE’s website states that countries may be listed as sensitive due to factors such as national security concerns, nuclear nonproliferation, regional instability, economic security threats, or links to terrorism.