Lee gov't aims to reclaim wartime OPCON by 2030

President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a public policy briefing hosted by the State Affairs Planning Committee at the Yeongbingwan guesthouse in Cheong Wa Dae, Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

The Lee Jae Myung administration will seek to reclaim wartime operational control (OPCON) of the military from the U.S. within the next five years, establishing the goal as a key part of its foreign and security policy, according to its five-year policy road map announced Wednesday.

The blueprint links this initiative to a broader strategy of pragmatic diplomacy and permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula, as well as to strengthening the country’s defense industry to enable it to become one of the world's top four arms exporters.

The goals were announced by the State Affairs Planning Committee, a de facto transition team for the Lee administration following the snap election resulting from former President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment.

Since its launch on June 16, the committee has held a series of discussions to come up with a road map outlining five national objectives, 23 strategic initiatives and 123 key policy tasks developed from Lee’s campaign pledges.

Hong Hyun-ik, vice president of the Institute of Democracy who led the committee’s foreign and security affairs division, said the Lee administration aims for the OPCON transfer to be finished within his five-year term.

OPCON transfer has long been a key issue between the U.S. and Korea. While Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff holds peacetime OPCON, the U.S.-led Combined Forces Command holds it during war.

Although reclaiming OPCON was one of Lee’s pledges during his presidential campaign, the presidential office has been cautious since his inauguration. By officially enshrining it in the government’s policy agenda, however, the administration is now signaling a firm commitment to completing the transition during Lee’s term.

The government intends to develop an implementation road map in collaboration with Washington, while also enhancing the operational planning and command capabilities of the South Korean military to bolster deterrence against North Korea.

The administration is pledging to "normalize" the inter-Korean relationship, shifting toward reconciliation and cooperation.

The committee said by institutionalizing peace and coexistence, the government will make an effort to transform the so-called “Korean Peninsula risk” into a “Korean Peninsula premium.” This approach involves expanding inter-Korean exchanges across various sectors, boosting public engagement in unification policy and championing peace, unification and civic education.

Other diplomatic and security priorities include improving relations with neighboring countries, diversifying diplomatic partnerships, establishing Korea as a “G7 plus” level diplomatic power and building an elite military force capable of countering North Korea's nuclear, missile and cyber threats.

The five-year plan also features "pragmatic diplomacy" aimed at securing national interests. This involves leading discussions in multilateral forums, strengthening economic diplomacy and pursuing denuclearization alongside a sustainable peace regime on the peninsula.

To elevate Korea’s defense industry to a position of global leadership, the administration aims to increase the participation of startups and small and medium-sized enterprises in arms production, boost research and development investment and increase the export of advanced weapons systems. The government intends to establish defense exports as a key driver of national growth, while improving Korea’s position in the global arms market.

During his speech at the committee's road map announcement, Lee emphasized that the blueprint is not the government’s finalized policy, but rather a set of recommendations shaped by public participation, expert advice and input from the field.

“We will gather opinions from citizens and all sectors of society through various channels, and the plan can be revised at any time during this process,” he said, pledging transparency and responsiveness in turning the proposals into official policy.

According to the committee, the blueprint will be supported by a fiscal investment totaling 210 trillion won ($152 billion) from 2026 to 2030, without imposing additional fiscal burdens. Funding will come from increased revenue, spending restructuring and public-private resources.

Once finalized at a Cabinet meeting, the plan will serve as the central policy framework for the remainder of Lee’s presidency. Committee officials said that they will regularly review progress, coordinate across ministries and incorporate public feedback via a dedicated communication channel.

To achieve the goals, 951 laws and ordinances require changes, and the government plans to finalize about 80 percent of the amendments by next year.