Defense minister nominee signals commitment to regaining wartime operational control of military

Defense Minister nominee Ahn Gyu-back answers questions from lawmakers at his confirmation hearing during the National Assembly’s Defense Committee meeting in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

Defense Minister nominee Ahn Gyu-back sought to temper expectations, Monday, regarding the timeline for reclaiming wartime operational control (OPCON) of the military from the U.S., saying remarks he made earlier in the day were meant to underscore the administration’s commitment to the long-delayed transition rather than to suggest a firm deadline under President Lee Jae Myung's tenure.

During his confirmation hearing before the National Assembly’s Defense Committee, Ahn responded to a question from Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun of the People Power Party (PPP) regarding the timeline for the OPCON transfer.

“We are aiming to complete the transfer within the current administration,” Ahn said.

But after his remarks, the presidential office said that Ahn’s comments reflected his personal views as a nominee and did not represent the official position of the government. Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung noted that while the issue remains under review, no definitive timeline has been set for the transfer.

Later in the day, Ahn's confirmation team also released a statement clarifying that the remark was not meant to signal a definitive timeline.

"My earlier remark was not intended to set a deadline, but to express our determination to pursue the transition," Ahn said.

"As always, the solid foundation of the Korea-U.S. combined defense posture and the fulfillment of agreed conditions by both parties remain prerequisites."

Regarding the expected cost of the transition, he said, “Although estimates vary depending on the study, it is expected to be around 21 trillion won ($15.2 billion).”

The estimate covers costs associated with revising the command structure, bolstering precision strike systems and upgrading surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

He noted that the transition issue is advancing after years of preparation.

“Since 2006, based on agreements between Korea and the U.S., our military has achieved substantial results through ongoing assessment and efforts,” Ahn told Rep. Hwang Hee of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK).

The OPCON transfer has long been a central issue in Korea-U.S. military cooperation. While Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff currently hold peacetime operational control, during wartime it remains with the U.S.-led Combined Forces Command. Once the transfer is finalized, Korea will assume full wartime operational command of its military.

The OPCON transfer was initially slated to take place in April 2012 under the Roh Moo-hyun administration but was postponed by successive governments. Rather than adhering to a fixed date, the transfer was made contingent on meeting specific military readiness benchmarks. The initiative remains one of the president’s top 10 policy priorities.

The hearing also touched on the contentious debate over nuclear armament tied to the OPCON transition. Rep. Yoon suggested that Korea should consider developing its own nuclear arsenal and potentially withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

In response, Ahn said, “While I understand the concerns, it would be extremely difficult and impractical to bring nuclear weapons to the Korean Peninsula as long as we are part of the NPT regime.”

Earlier in the hearing, Ahn emphasized the importance of strengthening civilian oversight of the military and addressing the martial law plan pursued by the previous administration.

“The previous government aimed weapons at the National Assembly and the people when they should have been protecting them,” he said. “This damaged the integrity of the armed forces and hurt the morale of those in uniform.”

He asserted that the armed forces should never be used as a political tool.

“Our goal is to rebuild public trust in the military under robust civilian control,” he said. “Political neutrality and accountability must be restored.”

Addressing defense reform, Ahn stressed the need to prioritize long-term structural changes over rapid implementation. He pledged to overhaul the military’s organizational culture, integrate artificial intelligence and advanced technologies and boost investments in research and development. He also highlighted the importance of building a sustainable defense industry that supports both national security and economic growth.

Ahn said that the Korea-U.S. alliance would continue to evolve in order to align with mutual strategic interests. He also pledged to enhance trilateral cooperation with the U.S. and Japan while bolstering defense diplomacy with regional and global partners.

He concluded by expressing his support for the government’s efforts to establish lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula, emphasizing the importance of combining credible deterrence with sincere dialogue and trust-building initiatives.