Defense minister nominee says conditions ripe for OPCON transfer

Defense minister nominee Kang Shin-chul asserted on Wednesday that Korea has made significant strides in fulfilling the prerequisites for the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON). Addressing the National Assembly’s National Defense Committee during his confirmation hearing, Kang expressed confidence that the conditions are now in place to advance the process, aligning with the Lee Jae Myung administration's objective to finalize the transfer during their tenure.

At the hearing, Kang emphasized that OPCON transfer has been a "continuous pursuit" across successive administrations. "We have made considerable progress in meeting the required conditions and I believe the circumstances are also in place," he affirmed. The Lee government has identified the OPCON transfer as a primary defense policy objective, aiming to conclude the process prior to Lee's term expiration.

In written responses to the Assembly prior to the hearing, Kang highlighted the completion of the Full Operational Capability (FOC) assessment of the upcoming Combined Forces Command as a pivotal task linked to the transfer. Kang, who previously served as the deputy commander of the Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command, provided these insights during his confirmation proceedings.