Key facts
- U.S. intends to transfer wartime OPCON when agreed conditions are met.
- South Korea and the U.S. are coordinating on setting a target year for the OPCON transfer.
- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's administration wants to retake OPCON before its term ends in 2030.
The U.S. administration has reiterated its stance that it will transfer wartime operational control (OPCON) to South Korea once agreed-upon conditions are met. This comes as Seoul is actively pushing to establish a target year for the handover. A U.S. official emphasized that the transfer is contingent on meeting these conditions, which are designed to ensure the safety and security of both South Korean citizens and U.S. forces stationed in the country. South Korean Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul confirmed that the two nations are closely coordinating on setting a target year, including the completion of full operational capability certification. The administration of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is seeking to regain OPCON before the end of its five-year term in 2030, or potentially sooner. However, the U.S. has adopted a more cautious approach, expressing reservations about expediting the handover due to political considerations. The defense chiefs of both countries are anticipated to convene in Washington in December to address various alliance and security matters, with the OPCON transfer being a key agenda item.