Seoul expects substantive 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 significant advancements in the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) during upcoming defense talks with the United States later this year. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac disclosed this at a press conference at Cheong Wa Dae, stating that the two nations intend to convene another defense ministers' meeting in Washington in December, followed by the customary Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) in the early stages of 2027.
Wi expressed confidence that substantial progress on the OPCON transfer would be achieved. He added that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reiterated Washington's dedication to the transfer during the recent meeting between Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul and Hegseth in Cebu, Philippines. A senior presidential official confirmed that the United States does not oppose the transfer, provided the allies adhere to the established conditions.
Wi also mentioned that the allies concluded an evaluation for full operational capability (FOC) verification during this year's Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, as part of the conditions-based transfer process. Traditionally scheduled for late fall, the SCM has been anticipated to occur at a later date.
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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