Seoul expects progress on OPCON transfer at early 2027 defense talks with US
National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Friday that Seoul expects to make progress on the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) at defense talks with Washington early next year. Speaking at a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae, Wi said the two countries plan to hold another defense ministers’ meeting in Washington in December, followed by the annual Security Consultative Meeting (SCM)…
Seoul anticipates progress on transferring wartime operational control (OPCON) during early 2027 defense discussions with the United States. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac announced this at a press conference in Cheong Wa Dae. The two nations intend to hold another defense ministers’ meeting in Washington in December 2026, followed by the annual Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) in early 2027.
Wi expressed confidence in making substantial advancements on the OPCON transfer. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reiterated Washington's commitment to the transfer during a meeting with South Korean Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul in Cebu, Philippines on Wednesday. The allies also concluded an assessment for full operational capability (FOC) verification as part of the conditions-based transfer process during this year’s Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise.
The Security Consultative Meeting, typically held in the fall, was postponed to early 2027. However, the allies have not disclosed when FOC verification will be accomplished or agreed upon a target year.
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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