Seoul:South Korea President Lee Jae Myung emphasized the need for South Korea to regain wartime operational control (OPCON) from the United States at the earliest opportunity. During a meeting with reporters, marking his 500th day in office, Lee stated that the current arrangement, where the U.S. holds OPCON over South Korean troops, should not continue.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee expressed confidence in South Korea's capability to assume control and noted that discussions with the U.S. are progressing favorably. However, the transition's timing remains a point of contention, with the Lee administration aiming to complete it before 2030.
Last week, U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson highlighted changing conditions, such as North Korea's missile activities, suggesting the need for updated standards for OPCON transfer. In response, a spokesperson for Seoul's defense ministry warned that continually shifting objectives could jeopardize achieving the transfer.
Wartime OPCON was originally transferred to the U.S.-led U.N. Command during the Korean War and later to the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command in 1978. Although South Korea regained peacetime OPCON in 1994, wartime control remains with the U.S.
President Lee acknowledged the U.S.'s insistence on confirming South Korea's defense readiness before the transfer, expressing gratitude but emphasizing the need for South Korea to manage its own defense. He assured that South Korea's defense capabilities are robust, citing its position as having the world's fifth-strongest conventional military.
Additionally, President Lee addressed the undervaluation of South Korean stocks, attributing it to doubts about market transparency and fairness. He stated his intent to implement necessary policy measures following consultations with officials.