S. Korea, U.S. Coordinate on OPCON Transfer Target Year

South Korea and the United States are actively coordinating to establish a target year for the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) from the U.S. to South Korea, as stated by Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul. This announcement follows U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson's remarks indicating that conditions have evolved regarding the OPCON transfer, which sparked some concerns in Seoul.

During a parliamentary audit, Minister Kang emphasized the ongoing discussions between the two nations to finalize the full operational capability (FOC) certification and determine the specific year for the transfer. The South Korean government, under President Lee Jae Myung, aims to regain OPCON before the end of its term in 2030, if not sooner.

However, the U.S. has adopted a cautious stance, suggesting that the handover should not be rushed due to political implications. The defense ministers of both countries are expected to convene for a Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) in Washington this December, where they will address various alliance and security matters, including the OPCON transfer.

When questioned about potential contingencies if the U.S. hesitates to set a target year during the SCM, Kang assured that South Korea is closely coordinating with the U.S. while remaining open to reviewing various options. The allies are currently in the second phase of a three-stage OPCON transition plan, which involves verifying South Korea's capability to lead combined forces.

Kang also mentioned ongoing discussions with the U.S. regarding alternative airports for U.S. reinforcements in case of emergencies, as the Gwangju Air Base will be relocated to support a significant chip cluster project. He noted that resolving this issue should be approached in a top-down manner.