Allies to speed up OPCON transfer

South Korean Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo and his U.S. counterpart Jim Mattis pose after signing a joint defense agreement at this year’s Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., Wednesday (local time). Courtesy of Ministry of National Defense

By Lee Min-hyung

Seoul and Washington have laid the foundation for a stable and swift transfer of the wartime operational control (OPCON) from the U.S. to South Korea during their annual defense dialogue, the defense chiefs of the two countries said Wednesday (local time in Washington, D.C.).

Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo and his U.S. counterpart Jim Mattis did not reach a consensus over the specific timeline for the planned OPCON transfer, but both sides pledged to join forces for an earlier transfer of OPCON from Washington to Seoul.

As a first step to realize the joint goal, “both countries agreed to verify Seoul's initial operational capability (IOC) next year to judge whether South Korea has enough capability to lead troops in time of war,” Jeong said in a joint press conference with Mattis after the 50th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM).

“Seoul and Washington will then continue to take into account any shifts in defense circumstances here and abroad and decide the specific timeframe for the OPCON transfer,” Jeong said.

Jeong went on to say that the verification of the IOC will finish as early as July next year.

Mattis, who accompanied Jeong during the conference, said Washington would also continue fulfilling their joint mission of earlier OPCON transfer.

“In signing the document (the joint defense agreement on the sidelines of the 50th SCM), we ensure continuity for the future Korean-led Combined Forces Command, as it assumes the mission of our current U.S.-led Combined Forces Command,” Mattis said.

Suspension of joint drills

Defense chiefs from the two sides also came to terms on making joint efforts to realize the complete denuclearization of the peninsula.

“We shared a common sense of the need to build lasting peace on the peninsula and the U.S. expressed its willingness to support the ongoing inter-Korean peace momentum,” Jeong said, dispelling concerns that the U.S. is worried about the inter-Korean joint agreement, as it can weaken defense readiness of South Korea.

According to the inter-Korean military agreement, Seoul and Pyongyang must put an end to any military activities in the border area as of Nov. 1.

“The U.S. completed reviewing details of the air buffer zone near the border area,” Jeong said.

During the defense ministers' talk, both sides also agreed to suspend Vigilant Ace, a joint air exercise scheduled to take place in December.

The annual air exercise has taken place in South Korea to maintain the Seoul-Washington air defense readiness against any possible provocations from North Korea.

Some critics here raised concerns that the suspension of the drill may negatively affect the defense capability of the two allied countries.

Jeong said the two countries will continue discussing how to resume their annual joint exercises until Nov. 15 and unveil detailed guidelines for the upcoming plans before the end of this month.

Mattis also dispelled any concerns over a possible “defense hole” following the suspension of the Seoul-Washington joint drills.

“We are not right now concerned with a loss of combat capability,” the U.S. defense chief said.

“Clearly as we go forward, we will have to make adaptations to ensure we do not lose that capability. But right now, again, this is not a total suspension of all collaboration and military exercises.”