S. Korea pledges to reclaim wartime operational control from US

(MENAFN) South Korean President Lee Jae Myung declared on Wednesday that his country intends to resume wartime operational control of its armed forces from the United States, reinforcing a key security promise, according to reports.

He delivered the remarks during a speech at the Gyeryongdae military headquarters in celebration of the 77th Armed Forces Day.

“The Republic of Korea will lead a joint defense posture with Washington by regaining the operational control based on the firm ROK-U.S. alliance,” he said, referring to South Korea by its official name.

“A solid combined defense capability and posture will not only bring peace and stability to the Korean Peninsula but also contribute to the region's stability and shared prosperity,” he added.

Officials from both nations recently convened to assess progress toward the transfer of wartime operational command (OPCON) from the US to South Korea, following a previous meeting in May.

South Korea is among the United States’ longest-standing allies, hosting roughly 28,500 American troops on its soil. The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff currently manage peacetime OPCON, while operational control during wartime remains under the US-led Combined Forces Command.

During the 1950-53 Korean War, control of South Korean forces was placed under the US-led UN Command. Authority was transferred in 1978 to the Combined Forces Command, which has retained wartime operational control since, while South Korea regained full peacetime command of its military in 1994.

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