What did Kim Min-seok say about South Korea retaking wartime OPCON from the United States?

Kim said South Korea’s retaking of wartime operational control would serve its national security interests. He argued that the global environment now favors South Korea exercising its own wartime OPCON.

Where and when did Kim Min-seok make his remarks on wartime OPCON transfer?

He spoke Tuesday at the National Assembly during a ceremony marking the launch of the Democratic Party of Korea’s task force on the wartime OPCON transition. He also serves on the Assembly’s National Defense Committee.

DPK leader says wartime OPCON transfer from US to benefit national security

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Summary

Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok said Tuesday that South Korea taking back wartime operational control from the United States would serve national security at a ceremony launching the party’s task force on the transfer. He said South Korea’s growing defense capabilities and changing alliance with the U.S. make it necessary to seriously examine the shift. Kim also said the key issue is whether conditions, capabilities and circumstances are in place for South Korea to exercise wartime OPCON.

Key Facts

Kim Min-seok made the remarks at the National Assembly during the launch ceremony for the party’s wartime OPCON transition task force.
He said South Korea’s national power, including its defense capabilities, has steadily grown.
Kim serves on the Assembly’s National Defense Committee.
He said the central question is whether the conditions, capabilities and circumstances are ready for South Korea to exercise wartime OPCON.
Kim said the issue should now be seriously and carefully examined.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 22, 2026 4:55 pm KST

Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok speaks during a ceremony marking the launch of the party's task force on the wartime OPCON transition at the National Assembly in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok said Tuesday that South Korea's retaking of wartime operational control (OPCON) from the United States would serve its national security interests.

The ruling party leader made the remarks during a ceremony at the National Assembly marking the launch of the party's task force on the wartime OPCON transition.

"The world is moving toward a landscape and set of relationships in which South Korea exercising its own (wartime OPCON) is what truly benefits national security," Kim said.

"There was a time when having the U.S. exercise wartime operational control was considered more advantageous and reliable for the security of the Korean Peninsula and Suth Korea," he said.

Kim, who also serves on the Assembly's National Defense Committee, said South Korea's national power, including its defense capabilities, has steadily grown and that the nature of its alliance with the U.S. has evolved toward expanding South Korea's role.

"The crux of the matter is whether the conditions, capabilities and circumstances are in place for South Korea to actually exercise wartime OPCON. It appears the time has come to seriously and carefully examine the OPCON transfer," Kim said.

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