Defense chiefs of S. Korea, US hold talks on OPCON transfer, alliance
The defense chiefs of South Korea and the United States met in the Philippines on Wednesday for talks likely centered on narrowing differences over the timing of the wartime operational control (OPCON) transition from Washington to Seoul, among other alliance issues. The talks between Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth took place in Cebu, the venue for the…
South Korean Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth convened in Cebu, Philippines on Wednesday for critical discussions. These talks, which occurred during the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus, are believed to have primarily focused on the timing of the wartime operational control (OPCON) transfer from Washington to Seoul.
This matter, along with other alliance issues, has been a point of contention between the two nations. The meeting marked their inaugural one-on-one encounter since Kang assumed office in September. The exact outcomes of the deliberations are anticipated to be disclosed later in the day. The significance of these talks has grown as South Korea aims to reclaim operational control ahead of the term end of the Lee Jae Myung administration in 2030.
The country is endeavoring to announce a projected date for the OPCON transfer at the upcoming high-level defense dialogue, the Security Consultative Meeting. Conversely, the United States has expressed reservations about expediting the process due to political considerations, underscoring the complexities inherent in this sensitive relationship.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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