Democratic victory could bring tougher OPCON transfer conditions: experts
The Democratic Party’s victory in the U.S. midterm elections could complicate Seoul’s push to regain wartime operational control (OPCON) from Washington, with experts warning that the new congressional majority may seek tougher conditions for the transfer. Democrats secured control of both the House and Senate, putting Congress in a stronger position to scrutinize U.S. President Donald Trump’s…
The Democratic Party's triumph in the recent U.S. midterm elections may pose challenges to South Korea's efforts to regain wartime operational control (OPCON) from the United States, according to experts. The new congressional majority, which now includes control of both the House and Senate, could potentially demand more stringent conditions for the transfer of OPCON.
This shift in power could complicate Seoul's ambitions to regain OPCON, which it aims to achieve by 2028. Shin Beom-chul, a senior research fellow at the Sejong Institute and former vice defense minister, cautioned that the Democratic victory in Congress could create new obstacles for Seoul's OPCON aspirations. He suggested that Democrats might impose stricter conditions on the transfer of OPCON through the National Defense Authorization Act.
The decision on the timeline for OPCON will be made by the U.S. and South Korea during a security consultative meeting scheduled to take place early next year.
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