DPK mulls resolution urging US to withdraw designation of S. Korea as 'sensitive' country

Han Min-soo, a spokesperson for the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, holds a press briefing at the National Assembly in Seoul, Feb. 9. Yonhap

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is weighing a parliamentary resolution calling on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to withdraw its designation of South Korea as a "sensitive" country, a DPK lawmaker said Monday.

Han Min-soo, a DPK spokesperson, made the remark as the U.S. department confirmed it placed South Korea in the lowest category of its "sensitive and other designated countries list" in early January under the previous Joe Biden administration.

"If the ruling People Power Party opposes this, it will inevitably be labeled as a force that undermines the South Korea-U.S. alliance," Han said.

It remains uncertain whether the DPK will push forward with the resolution immediately amid voices calling for a more cautious approach to the issue, given its diplomatic sensitivity.

"The party has not yet made a final decision on seeking the resolution," DPK floor spokesperson Yoon Jong-kun said after a general meeting of lawmakers.

Countries may appear on the list for national security, nuclear nonproliferation or terrorism support reasons, according to the DOE. The list includes North Korea, China and Russia. (Yonhap)