US Restricts Intelligence on North Korea Due to South Korean Minister's Comments
The United States has restricted part of the exchange of satellite intelligence information about North Korea with South Korea. The restriction follows comments made by the South Korean Unification Minister regarding one of Pyongyang’s nuclear facilities, which drew protests from Washington.
The comments criticised by the US, as reported by AFP on Tuesday (21/4/2026), were made by South Korea’s Unification Minister, Chung Dong Young, to the South Korean parliament last month.
In his comments to South Korean parliament members, Chung stated that North Korea is suspected of operating a site for uranium enrichment—a key step in making nuclear bombs—in the Kusong area, in northwestern North Korea.
The US, South Korea’s security ally, according to the Yonhap news agency and several local South Korean media, lodged a protest against Chung’s comments. It is said that the remarks revealed sensitive information from US intelligence without permission.
The Yonhap report states that Washington has “restricted” some satellite information about North Korea that was previously routinely shared with Seoul.
An unnamed South Korean military official, as quoted by Yonhap, said that the restriction has been in place “since the beginning of this month” but “does not significantly affect military readiness.”
“The collection and sharing of intelligence regarding North Korean military activities is proceeding normally between South Korean and US authorities, as before,” the Seoul military official stated.
South Korea’s Ministry of Unification and Ministry of Defence declined to comment on the reported restrictions. The Pentagon has not yet provided confirmation.
North Korea is known to operate uranium enrichment facilities in Yongbyon, in northern North Korea, and Kangson, near the capital Pyongyang.
Chung faced pressure from the opposition party over his comments that impacted South Korea-US relations. He stated on Monday (20/4) that it was “very regrettable” and that his statement was based on publicly available information that had been raised during his confirmation hearing in July last year.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung defended Chung, stating that the “clear facts” about the existence of the Kusong facility have been widely known through academic papers and media reports.
“Any claims or actions based on the assumption that Minister Chung leaked secret information provided by the United States are wrong,” President Lee emphasised in a statement via social media platform X.
The US deploys around 28,500 troops in South Korea to help its ally counter military threats from North Korea. It is believed that Washington gathers intelligence through satellites, electronic eavesdropping, and other means, then shares it with Seoul.