S. Korea seeks 'top-down' approach with U.S. for breakthrough in OPCON transfer

South Korea is pursuing a top-down approach with the United States in an effort to successfully transfer wartime operational control (OPCON) during their next annual security talks, according to the country's defense ministry. The ministry rejected the notion that the postponement of the allies' Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) signifies a setback in the timeline for the transition.

In a recent development, defense chiefs from both nations are set to meet again in Washington in December for additional discussions, marking a departure from the typical bottom-up format of the SCM, where defense chiefs convene to finalize agreements reached during earlier consultations between their top military officials. Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had engaged in bilateral talks earlier in the day in the Philippines, leading to the postponement of the SCM to early next year.

The ministry expressed confidence that a successful outcome could be achieved through a top-down approach, emphasizing the importance of defense chiefs presenting a policy direction based on evaluations of military authorities from both countries.