(EDITORIAL from Korea JoongAng Daily on Oct. 28)
Kim Min-seok, left, chairman of the Democratic Party, speaks with fellow party l...
During a parliamentary defense audit on Oct. 26, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Byung-joo suggested that South Korea could unilaterally declare its exercise of wartime operational control (Opcon) if the US refuses to agree on a transfer date at the bilateral Security Consultative Meeting. This proposal, made by Kim, who is also the presidential special adviser on defense policy, has raised concerns about the potential threat to the framework for Opcon transfer and the foundations of the Korea-US alliance.
Critics argue that a unilateral declaration would undermine the existing agreements and could prompt Americans to question extended deterrence commitments and the continued presence of US troops in South Korea.
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