Defense ministry expands outreach to US Congress over OPCON transfer bill
Korea’s defense ministry said Friday it is expanding its outreach to the U.S. Congress in response to a Senate bill that seeks to increase Congress' power to examine the transfer process of wartime Operational Control (OPCON) from Washington to Seoul. The bill, if passed, could be a major challenge to Seoul's plan to take over the OPCON by 2028 or even as early as the end of 2027. A defense ministry official said, “(Korea and the U.S.) are in close consultations based on a shared understanding that OPCON transfer will continue to bolster the combined defense posture of the Korea-U.S. on the defense on the Korean Peninsula.” While adding that it is inappropriate for the ministry to evaluate pending legislation in the U.S. Congress, the official said, “We are actively expanding outreach to Congress.” The remarks came as the U.S. Senate’s Committee on Armed Services passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2027 on June 11, which obliges the Pentagon chief to report on the transfer roadmap to Congress every 90 days. The bill reads, “Not later than Mar
