South Korea Denies U.S. Intelligence Restrictions Over North Korean Nuclear Site Disclosure

South Korea's Unification Ministry stated Friday it has no knowledge of any formal U.S. protest or intelligence-sharing restrictions, following media reports suggesting Washington expressed frustration over a cabinet minister's public disclosure of a previously unconfirmed North Korean nuclear facility.

The controversy stems from remarks made by Unification Minister Chung Dong-young during a parliamentary hearing on March 6, where he identified a uranium enrichment facility in Kusong, North Korea — a site not previously confirmed publicly — alongside the already-known locations of Yongbyon and Kangson. South Korean officials say Chung's statements were drawn from publicly available information, including international research publications, and that the United States had accepted this explanation after the South Korean ministry addressed an inquiry from the U.S. Embassy in Seoul.

South Korean newspaper Dong-A Ilbo reported that Washington conveyed its displeasure to Seoul over the disclosure, with sources in both countries indicating the U.S. signaled it might partially limit North Korea-related intelligence sharing. According to the report, Chung's remarks were a triggering factor amid wider accumulated tensions between the two allies over foreign policy and security disagreements.

When asked directly whether intelligence sharing had been restricted, a U.S. State Department spokesperson declined to comment, citing standard protocol on intelligence matters. The U.S. Embassy in Seoul also offered no immediate response.

Adding another layer to the dispute, Chung attributed part of his Kusong remarks to statements made by International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi. However, a review of the official IAEA transcript shows Grossi referenced only Yongbyon and Kangson — with no mention of Kusong — raising further questions about the source of the minister's claims.

South Korea maintains that any U.S. concerns were not directly tied to the minister's comments, and that the two allies continue to communicate openly on North Korean security matters.