South Korean Industry Minister Set to Travel to the U.S. This Week

Synopsis

The South Korean Industry Minister, Ahn Duk-geun, is scheduled to visit the U.S. to address the designation of South Korea as a "sensitive" country by Washington. This visit aims to discuss energy projects and seek the removal of this classification.

Key Takeaways

Ahn Duk-geun to visit the U.S. this week.
Discussion on energy issues, including Alaska gas project.
Seeking removal from the "sensitive" country list.
Meeting with U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
Focus on South Korea-U.S. cooperation in energy and technology.

Seoul, March 17 (NationPress) The South Korean Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun is anticipated to travel to the United States later this week to address Washington's classification of South Korea as a "sensitive" nation, according to government sources on Monday.

As stated by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), South Korea was categorized in the "lowest" tier of the DOE's "sensitive and other designated countries list" (SCL) in early January.

This classification was enacted during the closing days of the previous U.S. President Joe Biden's administration and shortly after President Yoon Suk Yeol imposed martial law in December, although the specific reasons for this designation remain unclear, as reported by Yonhap news agency.

Government sources indicated that South Korea is negotiating with the DOE to set up a meeting between Ahn and U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright in Washington later this week.

"After finalizing the arrangements, Ahn could visit the U.S. by the end of this week," a government official mentioned. "Essential agenda topics will cover energy matters, including the Alaska gas development project and collaboration on nuclear power."

Ahn is expected to question Washington's justification for labeling South Korea as a "sensitive country" and seek its removal from the list, sources added.

Earlier today, acting President Choi Sang-mok instructed the industry minister to engage with his U.S. counterpart this week for proactive discussions regarding the DOE list.

Choi also directed relevant government agencies to "actively explain" the situation to Washington to ensure that cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. in science, technology, and energy remains intact.

Ahn's forthcoming visit to the U.S. follows just three weeks after his trip to Washington in late February, where he met with prominent U.S. trade officials, including Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

During that February visit, Ahn was unable to meet with Wright due to scheduling conflicts.

This time, discussions are expected to focus primarily on the Alaska gas pipeline project, a major energy initiative from the Donald Trump administration.

Seoul has shown interest in this potentially multi-trillion-dollar project as part of efforts to reduce its trade surplus with the U.S., which is poised to start enforcing "reciprocal" tariffs on key trade partners to mitigate its trade deficits.