Defense committee chair says OPCON agreement stands despite US midterm uncertainty
The United States acknowledged that certain policy-related variables could affect the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) to Seoul, but reaffirmed its commitment to the existing bilateral agreement that the handover will proceed based on agreed conditions, a Korean lawmaker said Sunday. Rep. Jin Sung-joon of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), who chairs the National…
The chair of the National Assembly's National Defense Committee in South Korea, Rep. Jin Sung-joon, stated on Sunday that the US-Republic of Korea agreement regarding operational control (OPCON) during wartime remains intact, despite uncertainties stemming from the US midterm elections. Jin, who chaired a parliamentary delegation's visit to the United States from November 1-5, assured reporters that the delegation managed to secure entry approval at the last minute, enabling them to proceed with their planned visits to US Indo-Pacific Command and its subordinate components in Hawaii.
When questioned about the potential impact of the Democratic party's sweep in the US midterm elections on the OPCON transfer process, Jin did not anticipate any substantial alterations. Over the last 20 years, South Korea and the United States have negotiated and finalized agreements concerning OPCON transfers.
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