▲ This undated file photo, released by UPI, shows the Department of Energy headquarters in Washington. (Yonhap)

S Korea-DOE list

U.S. taking 'necessary steps' regarding issue of S. Korea being on 'sensitive country list': Seoul official

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. Energy Department (DOE) is taking "necessary steps" regarding the issue of South Korea's inclusion in its "sensitive country" list, a senior Seoul official said Thursday, citing a recent meeting with Energy Secretary Chris Wright over the Asian country's request to remove it from the list.

During a meeting with reporters, the official said South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun had talks with Wright this week over the issue, as concerns have lingered that the inclusion in the list could affect the two countries' science and technology cooperation.

"We heard that (the DOE) is taking necessary steps," the official said.

The DOE confirmed last March that the preceding Biden administration added South Korea to the lowest category of the list last January -- a list that includes North Korea, China and Russia.

The designated countries are subject to stricter scrutiny when access is requested to DOE research institutions or other facilities for technology cooperation or other purposes.

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