Kim Dai-sik, spokesperson of the ruling People Power Party / Newsis

The ruling People Power Party (PPP) expressed "deep regrets" Saturday over the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) designation of Korea as a "sensitive country," vowing to make an all-out response.

The DOE confirmed that it placed Korea in the lowest category of its "sensitive and other designated countries list" in early January under the previous Biden administration.

If the addition goes into effect on April 15 as scheduled, it could make it harder for Korea to join U.S. research on advanced technologies, such as nuclear energy, artificial intelligence and quantum technology.

"We express deep regrets that this could undermine the trust in the Korea-U.S. alliance," Kim Dai-sik, a PPP spokesperson, said in a statement. "There are serious concerns that the latest measure could create unnecessary constraints in cooperation in future strategic technology, including not only nuclear energy but also artificial intelligence."

Kim said that any administrative measure made without strategic judgment should not create any confusion in Korea-U.S. cooperation, calling for the government to make all-out diplomatic efforts in response. (Yonhap)