Discord emerges between Seoul, USFK as gov't rejects U.S. general's proposed Opcon transfer date

The Korean government has publicly rejected a proposal by the commander of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) to transfer wartime operational control, or Opcon, of Korean forces to Seoul by early 2029. 

The Korean government is pushing for the transfer to happen by 2028 at the latest, before the Trump administration, which has actively encouraged allies to take greater responsibility for their own defense, ends on Jan. 20, 2029. Missing that window, officials fear, could delay the transfer indefinitely.

Currently, wartime operational control of Korean forces is held by the U.S.-led Combined Forces Command (CFC), whose commander — a U.S. four-star general — answers to both governments through a bilateral consultative structure.

Defense Ministry says Opcon is a political call

Gen. Xavier Brunson, the current commander of both the CFC and USFK, told the U.S. House Armed Services Committee on April 22 that "we've delivered a road map which will get us there not later than second quarter of [fiscal year] 29, and we'll continue to pursue that" — referring to January through March 2029.

However, a Defense Ministry official told reporters on Wednesday that the so-called 2029 Opcon transfer schedule "cannot be regarded as a road map agreed upon by Korea and the United States."

The remarks came as the official briefed reporters on the recent Korea-U.S. defense ministers' talks and the 28th Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD), a working-level consultative body, both of which were held in the United States last week. 

"The CFC commander did not submit anything to the U.S. Defense Department, but it would be fair to say that briefing materials were described as a road map," the Defense Ministry official said. "Opcon transfer is decided at the policy and political level. The military authorities only provide advice through reports."

The point, the official suggested, is that Brunson's testimony was closer to a military-technical opinion, while the Opcon transfer is a political decision for the U.S. Department of Defense or Trump to make — not Brunson.

USFK pushes back, citing 'objective, professional military advice'

USFK effectively countered the Defense Ministry's stance. In response to inquiries from the JoongAng Ilbo, USFK said it remains "firmly committed to the conditions-based transition of wartime operational control and continue[s] to work closely with the Republic of Korea to strengthen the combined defense posture."

"Throughout this process, objective and professional military recommendations remain essential to ensuring decisions continue to support the security of both the Republic of Korea and the United States," the statement said.

The message emphasized "conditions" over the "timetable" the Korean government is focused on, while underscoring that Brunson's road map carries weight as a reference point both inside and outside the U.S. government.

Gov't races to set a target by end of 2026

The Korean government is pushing to set a specific target year for the Opcon transfer — a so-called "Year X" — at the Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) between the two countries' defense ministers, which is set to take place at the end of this year, according to the Defense Ministry.

A few conditions are required for Opcon transfer, one of which is the military capability needed to lead combined defense. This requires verifying that the future CFC, which will be led by a Korean four-star general, is ready to assume that role.

That verification runs through three stages: initial operational capability (IOC), full operational capability (FOC) and full mission capability (FMC). At the SCM held in Seoul in November 2025, the Korean and U.S. defense ministers agreed to pursue FOC verification of the future CFC headquarters this year.

The government appears to be aiming for a rapid sequence by year's end: completing FOC verification, deriving the target year and entering FMC, the third stage. 

Under that sequence, the transfer could be completed in as little as a year, with Korea assuming Opcon by the end of 2027. There is also a sense of urgency within the government that if Korea fails to act within the timeline of the Trump administration — which has urged allies to take on greater responsibility for their own defense — the transfer could be delayed indefinitely.

"It can be said that discussions have begun on what capabilities Korea and the United States will develop after the Opcon transfer," the Defense Ministry official said. The remark suggests the two countries already see the transfer within reach and are discussing the post-transfer combined readiness posture.

No road map deal at the first KIDD

But contrary to the government's push for speed, the joint Korea-U.S. road map has run into trouble.

"The goal was to complete the road map at the KIDD held in the first half [of 2026], but it is being delayed somewhat because there is more content we need to include," the Defense Ministry official said.

"However, the road map will be completed before the SCM, and we will prepare for the Opcon transfer based on it."

The road map also covers Korea's plans to acquire intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) assets, such as military reconnaissance satellites; missile defense assets, such as the Cheongung-II interceptor; and counterattack assets, such as high-power ballistic missiles and 155-millimeter self-propelled howitzer ammunition. The delay may signal that Seoul and Washington remain far apart on these issues.

On USFK's strategic flexibility, the longstanding U.S. defense policy goal to transfer USFK into a force capable of intervening in off-peninsula contingencies, including the Taiwan Strait, the Defense Ministry said the two sides reaffirmed the 2006 agreement between the Korean and U.S. foreign ministers at a fundamental level.

Under that agreement, the two sides recognized that while USFK assets could be moved or deployed outside the Korean Peninsula, extraregional activities by USFK would not run counter to Korea’s national interests.

However, the official said, "The U.S. side made clear through its National Defense Strategy that 'Korea should defend Korea,' and that support will be reduced."

"We will not stand still either," he added. "We will raise defense spending to 3.5 percent of GDP and pursue various efforts for self-reliant defense."

On U.S. extended deterrence, the two defense authorities reaffirmed their intention to continue discussions through the Nuclear Consultative Group, the bilateral body created in 2023 to give Seoul a formal role in U.S. nuclear planning against North Korea.

DMZ access, intel-sharing limits also on the table

The Defense Ministry said it raised the government's attempt to expand its jurisdiction over the southern side of the demilitarized zone (DMZ) as an "official agenda item" at this KIDD on May 12 to 13,

Some sections of the southern limit line, set 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) south of the military demarcation line (MDL), have, over time, ended up with their fences north of the UN Command's southern limit line baseline, placing them inside the DMZ, the ministry said.

Requiring U.S. approval to access even such areas is excessive, the ministry's position holds.

The situation in the Hormuz Strait in the Middle East also came up at the KIDD, the Defense Ministry said. It has asked the U.S. side to share information regarding the recent attack on HMM's Namu vessel, but has yet to receive a response.

Korea and the United States also appear to have explained their positions on Unification Minister Chung Dong-young's remarks about North Korea's Kusong nuclear facility and the resulting U.S. restrictions on intelligence sharing about the North. 

"I cannot confirm details," the Defense Ministry official said.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

BY LEE YU-JUNG [[email protected]]