Seoul: Defense Minister nominee Kang Shin-chul announced his commitment to pursuing the transfer of wartime operational command (OPCON) from the United States in a manner that will reinforce the alliance between South Korea and the U.S. Kang, who previously served as the deputy commander of the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command, made this statement amid ongoing efforts by Seoul to regain wartime command of its troops before the end of President Lee Jae Myung's term in 2030.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the OPCON transition is currently in its second phase, focused on verifying the "full operational capability (FOC)" of the combined forces. South Korea aims to complete this FOC assessment process by the end of the year. Kang emphasized the importance of strengthening the alliance during this transition, addressing reporters as he prepared for a parliamentary confirmation hearing.
South Korea is hopeful that a target year for the OPCON handover will be set at the upcoming annual Security Consultative Meeting between the defense chiefs of both nations this fall. Meanwhile, Kang also addressed the contentious issue of integrating the military academies of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The defense ministry has proposed this integration due to changes in modern warfare and demographic challenges, although the plan faces strong opposition from reserve forces and academy graduates.
Kang acknowledged the diverse opinions on the integration plan, recognizing them as rooted in a shared dedication to the military. He expressed his intention to cultivate exceptional talent in the defense sector. Following a recent Cabinet reshuffle, Kang was nominated to replace Ahn Gyu-back as the new defense minister. Kang is currently serving as South Korea's ambassador to Saudi Arabia.