US Focused on Conditions for Wartime OPCON Transfer to South Korea

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, June 25 (Yonhap) -- The United States is focused on ensuring that necessary conditions for the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) to South Korea will be met "as soon as possible," a senior U.S. diplomat said Thursday, noting it "understands" Seoul's desire to retake OPCON quickly.

Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Michael DeSombre made the remarks during a hearing of the Subcommittee on East Asia and Pacific affairs under the House Foreign Affairs Committee at the Capitol in Washington.

"There are ongoing discussions of exactly the timing (of the transfer)," he said.

"We understand the desire from the (South Korean) administration to do it as quickly as possible, and we are focused on ensuring that the necessary conditions are in place as soon as possible," he added.

He also pointed out that Seoul and Washington are pushing for the OPCON transition under a "conditions-based" agreement.

"So various conditions need to be met in order for us to both be comfortable that when they assume operational control, we will maintain the deterrence that we need in Korea," he said.

The administration of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has been striving to meet the conditions to achieve the transfer before the end of its term in 2030. The conditions include Seoul's capabilities to lead combined South Korea-U.S. forces, its strike and air defense capabilities, and a regional environment conducive to the transfer.

DeSombre's comment on the OPCON transfer came amid an apparent gap between Seoul and Washington over its timing.

Seoul officials seek to meet the transfer conditions swiftly, raising speculation that the transition could come as early as next year. But U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson has said that the allies aim to meet the conditions by no later than the first quarter of 2029.

South Korea handed over operational control of its troops to the U.S.-led U.N. Command during the 1950-53 Korean War. It was then transferred to the allies' Combined Forces Command when the command was launched in 1978. Seoul retook peacetime OPCON in 1994, but wartime OPCON still remains in U.S. hands.

During the hearing, DeSombre also commented on the issue of Coupang Inc., a U.S.-listed firm that came under fire for its massive data leak in South Korea amid U.S. calls for Seoul to ensure American firms are not unfairly treated in the Asian country.

"Coupang obviously has been a topic that we have talked significantly with Korea about, and really helped them understand that we are not happy with the treatment that Coupang has been getting, and that we expect them to treat Coupang in the same light that they would any other Korean company," he said.

"So this is something that we continue to focus on with them."