Seoul:<Text>

The top U.S. general in South Korea has announced a strategic roadmap for the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) to South Korea, with a target timeline set for no later than the second quarter of fiscal year 2029. General Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, shared this development during a House Armed Services Committee hearing, signaling a significant move in the defense collaboration between Seoul and Washington.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the roadmap outlines the necessary conditions that South Korea must meet to assume full wartime operational control. These conditions emphasize South Korea's ability to lead combined Korea-U.S. forces, as well as enhancing its strike and air defense capabilities. Additionally, the regional security environment must be favorable for such a transition to occur smoothly.

General Brunson assured that the roadmap has been delivered to the Pentagon and that both nations are committed to achieving this transition within the set timeframe. The plan is part of a broader "conditions-based" OPCON transition strategy, which will see ongoing efforts to ensure that all necessary requirements are met by the projected date.