Defense committee chair says OPCON agreement stands despite US midterm outcome

United States Senate approved a policy-related variables that could potentially impact the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) to South Korea, according to a statement from a Korean lawmaker. Rep. Jin Sung-joon, chair of the National Assembly’s National Defense Committee and leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), shared these details at a press briefing held at the National Assembly.

The parliamentary delegation responsible for the visit to the United States arrived at the last minute, but managed to receive entry approval and proceeded with the planned trip to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and its subordinate commands in Hawaii. Jin Sung-joon was asked if the Democratic Party's victory in the U.S. midterm elections could alter the OPCON transfer process, and he responded that he did not foresee any significant changes.

Korea and the United States have been in discussions and have reached agreements regarding OPCON transfers for over two decades. The outcome of the U.S. midterm elections, regardless of the Democratic Party's gain, is unlikely to influence the existing bilateral agreement on the transfer of operational control.