Korea seeks to complete key OPCON verification, set transfer year by Dec.
Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul said Monday that Seoul is working with Washington to complete the second stage of verification for the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) and agree on a target year for the handover by the end of 2026. Kang also said the three conditions previously agreed upon by the allies remain valid, despite recent remarks by Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S.…
Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul revealed on Monday that South Korea and the United States are collaborating to finish the second phase of verification for the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) and to determine a target year for the handover by the end of 2026. Despite General Xavier Brunson's recent comments implying that the standards for meeting these conditions might need adjustment, Kang affirmed that the three earlier agreements with the allies remain valid.
During a parliamentary audit of the defense ministry, Kang stated that his team is in constant communication with the U.S. to complete the full operational capability (FOC) verification and establish a transfer date. Rep. Kim Byung-joo of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea had previously urged the allies to agree on a transfer timeline during their annual Security Consultative Meeting (SCM), scheduled for December in the United States.
The FOC assessment serves as the second stage of a three-phase verification process to determine if the future Combined Forces Command, led by the U.S., meets the required standards.
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