U.S. Official: Wartime Operational Control to Be Transferred When Agreed Conditions Are Met

[Anchor]

An official from the U.S. Trump administration has shared its stance with SBS regarding the timing of the wartime operational control (OPCON) transfer. Interpretations suggest a temperature difference from the recent stance of South Korea's ruling party and government.

Here is our Washington correspondent, Jeon Byeong-nam.

[Reporter]

The Donald Trump administration has reiterated its position that the wartime operational control will be transferred "when agreed-upon conditions are met."

A U.S. administration official told SBS that "the United States has maintained a consistent OPCON policy for decades," adding that "the U.S. intends to transfer wartime operational control to South Korea when agreed-upon conditions are met."

The official emphasized that an OPCON transfer carried out under such conditions will "ensure the safety and security of both the South Korean people and U.S. Forces Korea."

This statement came in response to an inquiry regarding remarks by Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul that South Korea and the U.S. are holding consultations to determine the year of the OPCON transfer.

[Kang Shin-chul / Minister of National Defense (Yesterday): I mentioned that we are making efforts at the SCM (Security Consultative Meeting) to verify the FOC (Full Operational Capability) and determine Year X (the year of the OPCON transfer), and we are generally sharing a consensus with the U.S. side regarding Year X.]

In particular, interpretations have emerged that this reveals a discrepancy in tone compared to the perception within the government and the ruling party that the timing of the OPCON transfer should be finalized on the occasion of the Security Consultative Meeting.

[Cho Hyun / Minister of Foreign Affairs (Yesterday): (Wartime operational control) must naturally be held as a sovereign nation. And having ownership increases accountability, so I think the sooner, the better.]

Previously, General Xavier Brunson, Commander of U.S. Forces Korea, caused a stir on October 14 by stating that "the conditions for the OPCON transfer have changed and a 'plan change' was the reason."

Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Joseph Hilbert, Commander of the Eighth U.S. Army, pointed out that North Korea is gaining modern warfare experience from the war in Ukraine.

Reporting on these remarks by Commander Hilbert, Axios pointed out that "North Korean troops' combat experience could pose problems for South Korea and the United States."

(Photo: Yonhap News) (Video Journalist: Oh Jung-shik, Video Editing: Jung Sung-hoon, Design: Kim Na-mi)

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