Lee reaffirms push to retake wartime operational control of troops during his term

President Lee Jae Myung emphasized his determination to regain wartime operational control (OPCON) of South Korean troops from the United States before his term concludes in 2030. During a Cabinet meeting, Lee stressed the significance of self-reliant defense capabilities and the necessity for Seoul to take full charge of its military.

The president vowed to accelerate the process of acquiring nuclear-powered submarines as part of the government's plan to bolster the nation's defense. The transfer of OPCON from the U.S.-led U.N. Command during the Korean War to the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command in 1978 has left wartime OPCON under U.S. control. Lee's call for OPCON transfer follows U.S. President Donald Trump's tweet about curbing joint military exercises, signaling a possible opening for dialogue with North Korea, which has long criticized the drills as war rehearsals.

The president also highlighted the need to nurture military leaders with comprehensive operational capabilities and urged the integration of the three military academies into a single institution. Lee reiterated that a strong alliance with the U.S. will complement independent defense capabilities, and that political cooperation among rival parties is crucial to create an 'irreplaceable South Korea' and strengthen the country's security in an evolving global security landscape.