South 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. The year 2028 is widely seen as a likely target, aligning with President Lee Jae Myung's push for a conditions-based handover within his term ending in 2030.
South Korea and the United States are set to discuss a timeline for the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) during their annual defense ministerial talks this year, according to a source on Wednesday. The year 2028 is viewed as a potential schedule, given U.S. President Donald Trump's term ending in January 2029 and the delays caused by North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.
The initiative aligns with South Korea's goal of a conditions-based handover within President Lee Jae Myung's five-year term, which concludes in 2030. Both sides plan to finalize verification of Seoul's full operational capability (FOC)—the second stage of a three-part assessment—for review by defense chiefs at the annual Security Consultative Meeting (SCM). A more detailed timeline would follow the SCM, leading to the final full mission capability (FMC) stage, which hinges on a political decision by the two countries' leaders.
Momentum is building, fueled by Lee's emphasis on self-reliant defense and the U.S. National Defense Strategy, which states South Korea can take "primary" responsibility for deterring North Korea with "critical, but more limited" American support. At last year's SCM, the allies agreed to a roadmap to "expedite" the conditions for transfer. Last month, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back told key officials that this year marks the start of reclaiming wartime control, calling it a "mission" that must be completed.
Historically, South Korea ceded operational control to the U.S.-led U.N. Command during the 1950-53 Korean War, transferring it to the Combined Forces Command in 1978 and regaining peacetime control in 1994. Conditions for the handover include Seoul's ability to lead combined forces, strike and air defense capabilities, and a favorable regional security environment. To prepare, the allies are proceeding with their annual Freedom Shield exercise next month to verify these conditions.
