Defense minister, top US envoy discuss OPCON transfer, air base relocation
Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul met with the top U.S. envoy to Korea on Wednesday to discuss key alliance issues, such as the wartime operational control (OPCON) transition and the relocation of a regional air base shared with U.S. forces, the defense ministry said. The meeting with U.S. Ambassador Michelle Steel follows Kang's swearing-in on Tuesday, as Washington and Seoul face a host of shared…
Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul met with U.S. Ambassador Michelle Steel on Wednesday to discuss crucial alliance issues, including the wartime operational control (OPCON) transition and the relocation of a shared military air base, according to the Korea Times. The OPCON transition, from U.S. forces to South Korea, is a high priority for both nations as they navigate shared security concerns.
While Seoul aims to assume OPCON before the Lee Jae Myung administration's five-year term ends in 2030, or even sooner, Washington remains cautious about the speed of the transition. The two sides agreed to maintain close communication to strengthen the bilateral alliance in a forward-looking and mutually beneficial way.
Brief written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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