South Korea pushes to regain wartime combat command from the United States

South Korea is pushing to regain wartime combat command, currently controlled by the US, after Mr. Trump ordered a reduction in the scale of joint exercises.

"A solid alliance will strengthen the security foundation, while strengthening internal capabilities also helps enhance our value and importance as an ally," South Korean President Lee Jae-myung declared on August 18, referring to the relationship between the country's military and the US.

President Lee said that before his term ends in 2030, South Korea needs to promote a plan to transfer wartime operational control (OPCON) from US forces.

He also directed Korean officials to accelerate the progress of the nuclear-powered submarine procurement project, with the view that independent defense capacity and the solid Seoul-Washington alliance are complementary factors.

South Korea transferred OPCON authority to the US-led United Nations Command during the Korean War (1950-1953). This authority was later transferred to the Korea-US Joint Forces Command when it was established in 1978. South Korea regained peacetime operational control in 1994, but wartime operational control is still held by the US.

According to the Korean President, regaining OPCON rights needs to be promoted to strengthen defense capabilities while the global security environment changes rapidly.

The statement was made by President Lee after his US counterpart Donald Trump directed the Pentagon to "significantly" reduce joint exercises and exercises between the US and South Korea. Mr. Trump's action is seen as a signal to open the way for dialogue with North Korea, a country that has long criticized joint military activities between Washington and Seoul as "war rehearsals".

The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise between the US and South Korea, which was scheduled to take place on August 17-27, was shortened to end on August 21, after Mr. Trump's request.

The White House boss previously expressed dissatisfaction because the US has long participated in joint exercises with South Korea and had to pay most of the costs. He also emphasized "very good relations" with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

"The exercises are not only expensive, but also send a completely inappropriate and hostile signal to a country that has always shown respect and not a threat as long as Donald J. Trump is President of the United States," he wrote on social networks.

The US currently has about 28,500 soldiers stationed in South Korea to strengthen defense against military threats from North Korea. This was a consequence of the 1950-1953 war, which ended in an armistice agreement instead of a peace treaty.