Seoul: The ground component command of the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC) has transitioned into a standing unit, marking a significant step in South Korea's initiative to assume wartime operational control from the United States.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the transition of the Combined Ground Component Command (CGCC) was approved during a bilateral Permanent Military Committee meeting in late October. This unit commenced operation last month. The component command, previously activated only during contingency operations, now allows American troops to be regularly assigned as part of a combined combat staff. This change facilitates the establishment of joint operation plans and preparations for large-scale exercises such as the springtime Freedom Shield exercise.
The transition aligns with South Korea's goal to achieve the conditions-based handover of wartime operational control from Washington to Seoul by the end of President Lee Jae Myung's term in 2030. As part of these efforts, South Korea and the United States have agreed to pursue the certification of full operational capability (FOC) for the Future CFC headquarters this year. FOC represents the second phase of a three-stage program aimed at assessing Seoul's ability to lead the allies' combined forces.
A Joint Chiefs of Staff official stated that the move strengthens the South Korea-U.S. combined defense posture and brings them one step closer to the conditions-based handover of wartime operational control.
With this transition, four of the six component commands, including air, ground, and naval components, have completed their transformation into standing units within the CFC structure. Efforts are ongoing to convert the remaining two commands, which focus on special operations and military intelligence support operations, into permanent units.
The CFC emphasized that the ROK-U.S. Alliance is making steady progress in strengthening its combined defense posture as part of the conditions-based transition of wartime operational control. These efforts are the result of long-standing coordination and joint assessments between the two nations. ROK stands for the Republic of Korea, South Korea's official name.