Why Lee is pushing to regain wartime OPCON within his term
President Lee Jae Myung is repeatedly calling for South Korea to regain wartime operational control (OPCON) from the United States within his term, with analysts saying the push reflects a sense of urgency to accomplish a long-standing liberal goal that has remained unfulfilled. The analysts added that Lee’s push could gain momentum from U.S. President Donald Trump’s desire to scale back…
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has persistently advocated for his nation to regain wartime operational control (OPCON) from the United States during his five-year tenure, according to recent reports. Analysts suggest this push is driven by a strong desire to fulfill a longstanding liberal objective that has remained unfulfilled.
They also note that Lee's push could be bolstered by U.S. President Donald Trump's intention to reduce Washington's military and financial commitments in South Korea, offering Seoul a rare chance to finalize the transfer after years of setbacks.
Earlier this week, Lee reiterated his demand for the transfer at a Cabinet meeting held at Cheong Wa Dae. He emphasized the need for a smooth transition of wartime operational control within his term, as per the government's initial plan. Regaining OPCON within Lee's five-year term, which concludes in 2030, has been a priority for his administration.
They have been advocating for the target year to be set at 2028 or even sooner, potentially by 2027, during a Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) with the U.S. scheduled for October.
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- Why Lee is pushing to regain wartime OPCON within his term koreatimes.co.kr
