Senior presidential official downplays Korea-US gap over OPCON transfer timeline, conditions

A Korean pilot boards a KF-16 fighter jet during the first Freedom Flag exercise, a large-scale joint air drill between the Korean and the United States air forces, in April. Yonhap

A senior Cheong Wa Dae official said Friday that Korea and the United States have little difference over the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON), downplaying concerns that the allies remain divided over its timing and conditions.

“The gap between the two sides is not that large ... There is little difference in how the two sides assess relevant conditions," the official said on condition of anonymity, concerning bilateral consultations on Korea’s push to take over the wartime command from the U.S.

Seoul is seeking to regain wartime OPCON around 2028, or even earlier if possible. Washington, however, is reportedly favoring a more cautious timeline, with U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson saying in April that the conditions would be met by the first quarter of 2029.

The official noted that the allies have been working for more than 10 years to meet the conditions for the transfer, even before the Lee administration started in 2025.

The official also noted that differences over the timing of the transfer are manageable. “(The gap in timeline) is about one year, and we see it as adjustable. Both the conditions and the timeline could be adjusted, so we don't believe these would be a major issue," he said.

"Our foremost objective is to ensure that combined defense capabilities are not undermined,” he said. “With that principle in mind, we will continue coordinating both the timing and conditions of the transfer.”

The official also said the Seoul-Washington negotiations on Korea’s push to build its own nuclear-powered submarines have been "highly productive and constructive,” along with efforts to secure authority over uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing.

"We will work to speed up the discussions and achieve concrete outcomes by year-end," he said.