The defense ministers of South Korea and the United States are scheduled to meet in Washington to talk about the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) from the US to Seoul and South Korea’s aim to acquire nuclear-powered submarines. The discussions between Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth will focus on the agreements made between the leaders and during high-level security talks last year.
The upcoming talks follow South Korea’s determination that a strike by two unidentified flying objects caused the explosion and fire on a South Korean-operated cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz on May 4. The issue might be addressed during the discussions on Monday, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
South Korea aims to regain wartime OPCON before the end of President Lee Jae Myung’s term in 2030, with a target set for 2028 during President Donald Trump’s tenure. However, there are indications of differing views between the allies, with US Forces Korea commander Gen. Xavier Brunson suggesting that the conditions required for the transfer may not be met until the first quarter of 2029.
The transfer of operational control dates back to the Korean War, where South Korea handed over control of its forces to the US-led UN Command. While it regained peacetime OPCON in 1994, wartime operational command remains with the US. The conditions for the transfer include South Korea’s ability to lead combined Korea-U.S. forces, its strike and air defense capabilities, and a conducive regional security environment.
During last year’s Security Consultative Meeting, Ahn and Hegseth agreed to expedite the implementation of conditions for the OPCON transfer. They also discussed Seoul’s findings on the ship blast, which could impact South Korea’s role in easing tensions in the Middle East. Additionally, the talks are expected to cover South Korea’s efforts to build nuclear-powered submarines, a topic that has seen little progress since Trump’s approval last year.
