Anna Jiwon Park has been covering the politics at The Korea Times since the summer of 2024, when she joined the press pool for the Office of the President in Korea. Prior to that, she spent about five years reporting extensively on financial markets, regulatory authorities and the financial industry. She joined The Korea Times in 2019 after spending eight years as a broadcast journalist at Arirang TV, Korea’s leading global broadcaster, covering politics, defense and culture.
Defense chief faces uphill talks in 1st US visit
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, center, answers reporters' questions at Incheon International Airport, Sunday. Yonhap
By Anna J. Park
Minister says speeding up OPCON transfer would pose no major difficulty
South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said Sunday that Seoul and Washington have made “systematic, stable and consistent” preparations for the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON), emphasizing that accelerating the transition process would not pose major difficulties.
Ahn made the remarks to reporters at Incheon International Airport before departing for the United States for his first official visit since taking office last July. He said the allies had achieved “considerable progress” under a conditions-based agreement reached in 2015.
“At that time, the two sides agreed on a conditions-based transfer plan and preparations have since proceeded in a systematic and stable manner,” Ahn said. “In that respect, I do not believe there would be significant issues in speeding up the transfer.”
Seoul and Washington adopted the Conditions-based OPCON Transition Plan (COTP) during the 47th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) in 2015. Under the framework, the allies have pursued transfer based on three conditions: South Korea's ability to lead combined forces, its capacity to counter North Korean nuclear and missile threats and a regional security environment conducive to a stable handover.
Ahn’s remarks suggested that preparations have advanced enough for the allies to move forward more quickly, if necessary.
Asked how the two sides would narrow differences over the issue, Ahn noted an agreement reached during the 57th SCM in 2025 to determine a target year for OPCON transfer at this year’s SCM meeting, calling it “one of the key agenda items” during his visit to Washington.
South Korea and the U.S. are currently discussing a three-stage verification process consisting of Initial Operational Capability (IOC), Full Operational Capability (FOC) and Full Mission Capability (FMC). Seoul has reportedly completed the FOC assessment phase and aims to finalize second-stage verification within this year, with the goal of completing final OPCON transfer by 2028.
However, subtle differences have recently emerged regarding the timeline. Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of United States Forces Korea, said during a U.S. congressional hearing that the conditions for the OPCON transition were expected to be met by the first quarter of 2029.
Regarding cooperation on nuclear-powered submarine construction, Ahn said the issue had already been agreed upon “in principle” by the leaders of both countries, making follow-up measures “extremely important.”
He added that Seoul and Washington would continue discussions on fulfilling commitments and strengthening bilateral cooperation. Asked whether first-round negotiations could begin within the first half of the year, Ahn replied, “Of course.”
“No matter what difficulties arise, this is an issue that the South Korean and U.S. military authorities must resolve,” Ahn said. “In the past, South Korea and the U.S. have not faced major problems in carrying out agreements and procedures despite various issues and difficulties.”
The defense chief added that if the U.S. provides South Korea with support related to fuel for operating a nuclear submarine, “there would be no major problem in proceeding with the submarine construction process.”
Ahn is visiting the U.S. through May 14 and is scheduled to meet key U.S. officials including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the acting secretary of the Navy, senior members of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the head of the Seapower Subcommittee to discuss major alliance issues. He will also attend the 28th Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD), a vice minister-level security consultation meeting, in Washington on May 12-13.