U.S. Assistant Secretary of State: Focusing on Meeting Conditions for OPCON Transfer 'As Soon As Possible'

Michael DeSombre, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, stated that he understands the South Korean government's position on expediting the transition of wartime operational control (OPCON) and emphasized that the U.S. is "focused on ensuring that the conditions required for the OPCON transition are met as soon as possible."

Assistant Secretary DeSombre made these remarks on June 25 (local time) while attending a hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific, in response to a question regarding the OPCON transition timeline from Subcommittee Chairwoman Young Kim (Republican, California).

"The agreement on the OPCON transition is a conditions-based agreement," DeSombre said. "Several conditions must be met to ensure that both sides are confident that we will maintain the necessary deterrence in South Korea even after the transition of OPCON."

He added, "Discussions regarding the exact timing are ongoing. We understand the South Korean government's desire to push this forward as quickly as possible, and we are focused on ensuring that the necessary conditions are met as soon as possible."

Assistant Secretary DeSombre also addressed the issue regarding Coupang, which has been raised by some in the U.S. government and Congress.

He noted that the Joint Fact Sheet (JFS) released by the U.S. and South Korea last year includes an agreement not to discriminate against U.S. companies.

"We have made it clear that we are not satisfied with how South Korea is treating Coupang, and we have put a lot of effort into making it understood that we expect Coupang to be treated by the same standards as other companies in South Korea," he explained. "This is an issue we will continue to focus on and discuss with South Korea."

Representative Ami Bera (Democrat), the ranking member of the subcommittee and known as a Korea expert, stated, "I told (President Lee Jae-myung) that South Korea does not need to worry about the U.S. commitment to provide nuclear deterrence, and that there is no reason for South Korea to pursue any nuclear technology."

Representative Bera visited South Korea last March and met with President Lee.

Representative Bera also emphasized that the issue of visa quotas for South Korean technical personnel must be resolved quickly to promote South Korean investment in the U.S.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.