The South Korean Ministry of Unification reaffirmed on Monday that Minister Chung Dong-young’s remarks about uranium enrichment facilities in North Korea’s Kusong were based on open-source information, not classified intelligence. This statement came after U.S. officials expressed concern that South Korea had disclosed shared information without prior consultation. The ministry emphasized that even U.S. research institutions have reported on the Kusong nuclear facility.
At a regular press briefing in Seoul, Unification Ministry spokesman Yoon Min-ho clarified that the minister’s comments on Kusong’s uranium enrichment facilities were grounded in publicly available sources, including reports from international think tanks and media outlets. Yoon added that Minister Chung made similar statements during his confirmation hearing last July, indicating his awareness of this information predated his cabinet appointment.
Yoon stressed that he wants to reiterate that we have not received any intelligence about Kusong from other agencies.
The spokesman also highlighted that U.S. research institutions have reported on Kusong’s uranium enrichment capabilities. He cited reports from the Institute for Science and International Security in 2016, an interview with Dr. Bruce Bennett in 2024, and a Center for Strategic and International Studies study in 2025, adding that the ministry would provide these materials upon request.
The controversy erupted after Minister Jeong told the National Assembly on March 6 that uranium enrichment facilities exist in Kusong, in addition to known sites in Yongbyon and Gangseon. U.S. officials subsequently claimed that classified information had been disclosed, leading to a partial suspension of intelligence sharing on North Korea and straining bilateral relations.
However, Yoon maintained that it has no knowledge of any U.S. restrictions on information sharing, and added that it cannot confirm such actions and will not link this issue to that matter.