Seoul’s Unification Ministry denied Friday having knowledge of any American complaints or intelligence restrictions following reports that Washington objected to public disclosure of a previously unconfirmed North Korean nuclear facility.
Ministry officials stated they had clarified to American counterparts that Minister Chung Dong-young’s public statements regarding a North Korean nuclear facility in Kusong were drawn from publicly accessible information, including international research studies, and believed their clarification was accepted.
According to the Dong-A Ilbo newspaper, the United States expressed dissatisfaction to Seoul after Chung revealed during a March 6 parliamentary hearing that North Korea operated a uranium enrichment facility in Kusong, in addition to the known locations at Yongbyon and Kangson.
The publication, referencing sources from both South Korea and the United States, reported that Washington suggested it might partially limit North Korea-related intelligence sharing with Seoul, with Chung’s statements acting as a catalyst amid broader American frustration over various bilateral foreign policy and security disputes.
During a press conference, a ministry representative stated they had “sufficiently explained the background” of Chung’s comments following an inquiry from the American embassy in South Korea and believed “the U.S. side had accepted” their explanation.
The representative also indicated the ministry had no knowledge of any American protest or intelligence-sharing restrictions.
In additional statements to Reuters, the ministry noted that if any American measures existed, they did not consider them directly connected to the minister’s statements.
The American embassy in Seoul provided no immediate response.
Chung informed the parliamentary committee in March that North Korea had been producing weapons-grade uranium at Yongbyon, Kangson and Kusong, referencing statements by International Atomic Energy Agency Director Rafael Grossi during a board of governors meeting that month.
However, the IAEA transcript of Grossi’s opening remarks indicates he only mentioned facilities at Yongbyon and Kangson, without any reference to Kusong.
