Seoul: Defense ministers of Korea and the United States held the first Security Consultative Meeting under the Lee Jae Myung administration to discuss key alliance issues, including the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON). The renewed push reflects a convergence of goals: the Trump administration's desire for allies to assume greater responsibility for their own defense and the Lee administration's pledge to achieve OPCON transfer during its term.
According to Yonhap News Agency, President Lee emphasized in his budget address to the National Assembly that Korea spends 1.4 times North Korea's GDP on defense and is ranked fifth globally in military strength. He stated, "Relying on others for national defense is a matter of national pride." The conditions for OPCON transfer are more favorable than in the past, with next year's defense budget set to increase by 8.2 percent to 66.3 trillion won ($46 billion). Korea's surveillance capabilities have also improved following the successful launch of its fifth reconnaissance satellite. U.S. President Donald Trump's approval for Korea to acquire its own nuclear-powered submarines was also encouraging, with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth noting Trump's desire for stronger allied capabilities and pledging U.S. support.
Despite these advancements, public concerns over security persist. To improve inter-Korean relations, major combined military drills between Seoul and Washington have been delayed or scaled down under the current administration. However, these exercises are essential for fulfilling the conditions-based OPCON transfer agreed upon in 2018. After the transfer, the Combined Forces Command will be led by a Korean four-star general, making consistent training even more critical.
Korea and the United States are currently at the second of three evaluation stages to determine whether the Korean military meets the required conditions. Many assessment criteria remain qualitative, raising concerns about political influence overriding military judgment. Some warn that pursuing OPCON too quickly for political gain could weaken combined defense readiness. Gen. Xavier Brunson, the commander of the Combined Forces Command, cautioned that "shortcuts to accelerate OPCON transfer could endanger readiness on the Korean Peninsula," stressing it should occur only when conditions are fully met. With troop numbers falling below the traditional 500,000 mark due to declining birthrates, preparation for manpower shortages must also be addressed.
The path to self-reliant defense cannot be achieved through rhetoric alone. The critical question remains whether Korea can meet the conditions for OPCON transfer while maintaining a level of security that citizens can trust. National defense, as emphasized, is not merely a matter of pride but fundamentally about protecting lives.