What did Kang Shin-chul say about wartime OPCON transfer to the United States?

Kang said he will pursue the transfer of wartime operational command in a way that strengthens the Korea-U.S. alliance. He made the remark while preparing for his parliamentary confirmation hearing.

Why is South Korea pushing military academy integration, and who opposes it?

The defense ministry says the plan reflects the changed nature of modern warfare and a demographic cliff, and it would unify the Army, Navy and Air Force academies into one institution. The initiative has drawn fierce opposition from reserve forces and graduates of the academies.

When does South Korea want to set a target year for OPCON handover?

Korea hopes to set a target year at this fall’s annual Security Consultative Meeting between the allies’ defense chiefs. The allies are now at the second stage of the transition plan, verifying full operational capability.

Defense minister nominee vows to seek OPCON transfer in way that strengthens Korea-US alliance

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Summary

Defense Minister nominee Kang Shin-chul said Thursday he will pursue wartime operational command transfer from Washington in a way that strengthens the Korea-U.S. alliance. Seoul is in the second stage of the three-phase OPCON transition plan, which involves verifying the combined forces’ full operational capability. The government also wants to set a target year for handover at this fall’s Security Consultative Meeting.

Key Facts

Kang Shin-chul was nominated as defense minister in a recent Cabinet reshuffle to replace Ahn Gyu-back.
Kang is currently Korea’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia and previously served as deputy commander of the Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command.
Seoul aims to complete the full operational capability assessment process within this year.
The defense ministry says it wants to integrate the Army, Navy and Air Force military academies into one institution because modern warfare has changed and the country faces a demographic cliff.
The integration plan has met fierce opposition from reserve forces and graduates of the military academies.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 3, 2026 10:14 am KST
Updated Sep 3, 2026 11:04 am KST

Defense Minister nominee Kang Shin-chul speaks to reporters after arriving at the Ministry of National Defense Convention in Yongsan District, Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

Defense Minister nominee Kang Shin-chul said Thursday he will pursue the retaking of wartime operational command (OPCON) from Washington in a way that will strengthen the Korea-U.S. alliance.

Kang, ex-deputy commander of the Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command, made the remarks as Seoul has been seeking to regain wartime command of Korean troops before President Lee Jae Myung's five-year term ends in 2030.

Under the three-phase OPCON transition plan, the allies are at the second stage of verifying the combined forces' "full operational capability (FOC)," with Seoul aiming to complete the FOC assessment process within this year.

"We will pursue the transition of OPCON in a way that will strengthen the Korea-U.S. alliance," Kang told reporters on his way to work to prepare for a parliamentary confirmation hearing.

Korea has been hoping to set a target year for the OPCON handover at this year's annual Security Consultative Meeting between the allies' defense chiefs this fall.

In regard to controversy over the government's push to integrate the three military academies of the Army, Navy and Air Force, Kang said he was well aware of concerns related to the plan.

The defense ministry has cited the changed nature of modern warfare and a demographic cliff as the main reasons for unifying the military academies into a single institution. But the initiative has met fierce opposition from reserve forces and graduates of the military academies.

"I know there are varied views and concerns (on the integration plan). I believe all opinions stem from a love for the military," he said, adding, "I will work to nurture excellent talent."

In a recent Cabinet reshuffle, Kang was nominated as the new defense minister to replace Ahn Gyu-back, who has served as the first civilian defense chief under the Lee administration.

He is currently Korea's ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

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