A Senate version of the annual U.S. defense bill includes a provision requiring the defense secretary to submit quarterly reports on the roadmap for transferring wartime operational control to South Korea.
The provision appears in the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2027. It requires the Pentagon chief to deliver reports to Congress by March 1 next year and every 90 days thereafter through 2030. Each report must include assessments from the U.S. Pacific Command commander and the U.S. Forces Korea commander on conditions for the transfer.
The bill also maintains the existing prohibition on using authorized funds to reduce U.S. troop levels in South Korea below 28,500. The Senate Armed Services Committee advanced the measure last week by an 18-9 vote.
The OPCON transition process stems from an agreement signed by the allies in 2018. South Korea seeks to complete the handover before President Lee Jae Myung's term ends in 2030. The defense bill now moves to further congressional procedures including reconciliation with the House version.
