Korea Joongang Daily
Korea JoongAng Daily

U.S. expert says Opcon transfer won't 'unzip' Korea-U.S. alliance

A U.S. expert said Thursday that the transfer of wartime Opcon to South Korea from the United States would not "unzip" the bilateral alliance, downplaying concerns that the move could weaken America's security commitment to the Asian ally.

2026-05-01

President Lee says South Korea can and must defend itself, not rely on 'foreign' troops

President Lee Jae Myung questioned on Tuesday why South Koreans, despite their nation's strong military, continue to worry that it couldn't defend itself without the assistance of “foreign” troops.

2026-04-28

Wartime Opcon transfer timeline to be set during South Korea-U.S. talks this year, says Defense Ministry

A timeline for the handover of wartime operational control (Opcon) from the United States to South Korea will be set at this year's annual ministerial meeting and proposed to the leaders of the two countries, Seoul's Defense Ministry said Thursday.

2026-04-23

USFK commander against withdrawing troops, expects Opcon transfer by early 2029

U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson told U.S. lawmakers that he is against withdrawing U.S. troops from the peninsula during a congressional testimony in Washington on Wednesday.

2026-04-23

South, U.S. to stage annual springtime exercise next month amid preparations for wartime command transfer

South Korea and the United States will stage their annual joint springtime military exercise next month to strengthen their combined defense posture as they are preparing for the transfer of wartime operational control from Washington to Seoul.

2026-02-25

U.S. call for South Korea's 'primary' defense role fuels expectations for Opcon transfer

With a new U.S. defense strategy calling for South Korea to take "primary" responsibility to deter North Korea, expectations are growing that the allies' joint efforts toward the transfer of wartime operational control (Opcon) could gain momentum.

2026-02-07

Korea, U.S. mulling outlining timeline for wartime command handover in annual defense talks: Source

Korea and the United States are considering outlining a timeline for Washington's transition of wartime operational control (Opcon) to Seoul in their annual defense ministerial talks this year, with 2028 widely considered a likely target schedule.

2026-02-04

USFK commander stresses conditions over time period in wartime control transition

The commander of the U.S. Forces Korea said Friday that adhering to conditions is more important than a certain time period for the transition of wartime operational control to Seoul from Washington.

2025-12-12

Defense chiefs of South Korea, U.S. set to discuss alliance issues in key security talks

The defense chiefs of South Korea and the United States were set to hold their annual security talks in Seoul on Tuesday to discuss a range of security issues, such as how to modernize the decadeslong alliance between the two nations.

2025-11-04

South Korea, U.S. see 'meaningful progress' on conditions for wartime command transfer from Washington

The top military officers of South Korea and the United States on Monday assessed that "meaningful progress" has been made to meet the conditions for Seoul to retake wartime operational control (Opcon) from Washington, the South's military said.

2025-11-03