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South Korea’s defense minister said Nov. 12 that the country has met all three conditions agreed upon with the United States for transferring wartime operational control (OPCON) of South Korean forces from the U.S.-led command structure to Seoul.
Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul made the assessment during a National Assembly Budget and Accounts Committee hearing, responding to a question from Rep. Bae Jun-young of the conservative People Power Party. Asked whether all three conditions had been satisfied, Kang answered, "Yes."
Three criteria underpin the proposed transfer
The OPCON transfer framework rests on three benchmarks jointly established by South Korea and the United States: South Korea's military capabilities to lead combined defense operations; the alliance's ability to respond comprehensively to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats; and a security environment on the Korean Peninsula and across the region conducive to a stable transfer.
Kang said he considered a transfer possible even now, but stressed that military assessments must continue before the change is implemented. "It could happen right now, but because we continue to assess the conditions from a military standpoint, the transfer should take place when those conditions are confirmed to have been met," he said.
Alliance coordination remains necessary
The minister distinguished his overall judgment that the three conditions had been met from the continuing military evaluations used to verify readiness. He said the criteria involve multiple assessment areas and require closer coordination between the two allies.
"There are various military assessment criteria, so South Korea and the United States need to work together more closely in some areas," Kang told lawmakers.
Asked whether South Korea could prevail in a future war after assuming wartime command, Kang answered affirmatively. He also argued that a command structure led by a South Korean military commander, with U.S. forces providing support, would be more effective for operations.
"A system in which a South Korean commander who understands South Korea leads operations, supported by the world's most powerful U.S. military, is more effective for military operations," he said.
Kang addresses report of dispute over military academy merger plan
During the same hearing, Kang also responded to reports that former Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-baek had called to protest revisions to a proposed plan to consolidate military academies. Kang denied that the two men had clashed.
"From my perspective, I would say that nothing like that happened," he said. Kang added that he would review why his ministry had not responded more forcefully to the media reports.
He also said Ahn had expressed support for the revised proposal when they first discussed it and during their most recent meeting.
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