USFK chief says conditions changed for OPCON transfer to S. Korea

Brunson's remarks come amid differing views between Seoul and Washington on the timing of the OPCON transfer. South Korea aims to regain wartime OPCON before 2030, while the U.S. has expressed concerns about expediting the process.

The general emphasized that while he is "pro-OPCON," he does not favor compromising on the necessary conditions, highlighting the importance of critical capabilities and full mission readiness. The future structure of the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC) remains uncertain, but Brunson stressed the need to maintain a strong alliance.

Reports suggest that the high-level Security Consultative Meeting (SCM), typically held in late October or early November, might be postponed to December. This potential delay fuels speculation that Seoul may not meet its goal of completing the second phase of a three-stage transition plan designed to verify South Korean forces' leadership capabilities.