The U.S. Department of Energy has recently placed South Korea on a sensitive watchlist after incidents involving the mishandling of sensitive information at its laboratories. Acting U.S. ambassador Joseph Yun explained at the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea that the move was linked to data missteps by visitors at these U.S. facilities, where over 2,000 South Korean students, researchers, and government officials conducted visits last year.
The designation has stirred controversy in Seoul, with local officials noting that they were not informed of the decision by Washington. Despite the concerns, Ambassador Yun reassured that the action is confined solely to the department’s facilities and does not affect the broader cooperation between the allies.
Earlier confirmations from the Department of Energy in January acknowledged the designation of South Korea as a sensitive country, although specific details regarding the data mishandling remain undisclosed. The incident serves as a reminder of the critical importance of robust data security protocols in the context of international scientific collaboration and global business exchanges.
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U.S. official links S. Korea's watchlist status to lab data misstep
cgtn.com
