Key facts
- South Korea and the U.S. pledged to strengthen cooperation to accelerate the transition of wartime operational control (OPCON) to Seoul.
- The allies held the 29th Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD) in Busan, South Korea.
- South Korea reaffirmed its commitment to restoring free passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. lawmakers.
- Seoul seeks to retake wartime OPCON before the end of President Lee Jae Myung's term in 2030.
- The conditions for OPCON transfer include South Korea's capabilities to lead combined forces, its strike and air defense capabilities, and a conducive regional security environment.
South Korea and the United States have pledged to strengthen cooperation to accelerate the transition of wartime operational control (OPCON) to Seoul, according to a joint statement following their senior-level defense talks. The 29th Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD) was held in Busan, South Korea, from Wednesday to Friday.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's administration aims to retake wartime OPCON before the end of its term in 2030. The allies assessed progress on the Conditions-based Wartime Operational Control Transition Plan and committed to enhancing cooperation for its acceleration. The conditions for the transfer, agreed upon in October 2014, include South Korea's capabilities to lead combined forces, its strike and air defense capabilities, and a conducive regional security environment.
In parallel discussions, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. lawmakers. During these talks, South Korea reaffirmed its commitment to contributing to restoring free passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Cho and Rubio also agreed to collaborate on positive outcomes for South Korea's U.S. investment discussions. U.S. Ambassador Michelle Steel described the South Korea-U.S. alliance as the 'linchpin' of peace in the Indo-Pacific.