South Korea's Defense Minister Nominee Pushes for OPCON Transfer Without Extra Conditions

Defense Minister nominee Kang Shin-chul told Rep. Yu Yong-weon that South Korea seeks to reclaim wartime operational control (OPCON) from the United States on a “no additional conditions” basis. The retired four-star general, former deputy commander of the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command, submitted the remarks ahead of his parliamentary confirmation hearing. He said bilateral consultations have been ongoing and that the gap between Seoul and Washington over the OPCON timeline is minimal, with high-level channels in close contact.

Kang pledged to prepare the future CFC for full operational capability certification at this year’s security chiefs meeting and affirmed confidence in South Korea’s ability to assume OPCON immediately, echoing outgoing minister Ahn Gyu-back. He also called for balanced cooperation with the United Nations Command over DMZ management and stressed the need to maintain a strong joint defence posture against the North Korean regime.