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

Pentagon declines to comment on potential USFK troop cut, reaffirms 'unwavering' commitment to Korea

A Pentagon official on Thursday declined to comment on a potential U.S. force posture change in Korea, but highlighted the United States' "unwavering" defense commitment to the Asian ally.

2026-05-01

USFK troop drawdown not being discussed: Defense Ministry

South Korea and the United States are not discussing a drawdown of the 28,500-strong U.S. forces stationed in Korea, a Ministry of National Defense official said Thursday.

2026-04-30

USFK aims to make Korea a 'regional sustainment hub' for U.S. military assets, says commander

The U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) aims to position Korea as a "regional sustainment hub" by leveraging the country's outstanding military production capabilities to expedite the repair and maintenance of U.S. military assets, the USFK commander said.

2026-04-23

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 Korea's military classifies North's nuclear sites as joint secret, undercutting presidential defense

South Korea's military classified North Korea's uranium sites as joint secrets, conflicting with President Lee's defense of Unification Minister Chung, who disclosed them during a session, leading to diplomatic tensions with the U.S.

2026-04-23

USFK chief says Thaad antimissile system 'still remains' in South Korea

United States Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson said the U.S. military's Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) system “still remains on the [Korean] Peninsula."

2026-04-22

U.S. Indo-Pacific hosts workshop to strengthen civil-military crisis response on Korean Peninsula

Korean and U.S. service members attended a workshop this month to strengthen civilian-military coordination for crisis and disaster response on the Korean Peninsula, the United States Forces Korea (USFK) said Wednesday.

2026-04-22

Defense Ministry denies USFK's protest against unification minister's remarks on North Korean nuclear facility

The Defense Ministry has denied reports that United States Forces Korea Commander (USFK) Gen. Xavier Brunson lodged a protest against the unification minister’s recent remarks that allegedly leaked classified U.S. information.

2026-04-21