South Korea, US Close on Wartime OPCON Transfer, Official Says

SEOUL, May 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the United States have little difference in the ongoing discussions over Seoul's push to retake wartime operational control (OPCON) from the U.S., a senior presidential official said Sunday, describing the issue as "a political decision."

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac made the remarks on a program aired on KBS, a local broadcaster, as Seoul and Washington appear to have different views on the timing of the U.S. handing over wartime command.

The two sides have already agreed on the broader road map for the OPCON transition.

South Korea is seeking to regain wartime OPCON before President Lee Jae Myung's five-year term ends in 2030, amid speculation it is targeting 2028 for the transfer. But the U.S. reportedly favors a more cautious timeline.

"It is not as though the two sides differ by five to 10 years regarding the timing of the transfer. The stances of the two are quite close," Wi said. "Fundamentally, it's a political decision."

A road map will be drawn up in the second half of this year, and once verification of full operational capability (FOC) is completed, a recommendation on the transfer timing will be made, the official noted.

"Discussions on the timing will then begin in earnest, and South Korea and the U.S. will need to find a compromise at that stage," he added.

Asked if the Seoul government is aiming for a faster transfer than the 2029 timeline recently suggested by U.S. Forces Korea commander Gen. Xavier Brunson, Wi replied that the government's official position is "to achieve an early transfer within this administration's term."

"The final details could be handled at the level of talks between the two leaders, or through high-level dialogue representing the leaders," he said.