Seoul: South Korea's Defense Minister nominee, Kang Shin-chul, announced on Friday that the country aims to reclaim wartime operational control (OPCON) from the United States under the principle of "no additional conditions." Kang, a retired four-star Army general and former deputy commander of the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC), made this statement in written responses submitted to lawmakers ahead of his upcoming parliamentary confirmation hearing.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kang emphasized that the defense ministry has been engaging in bilateral consultations with the U.S. based on this principle. His statement comes as South Korea seeks to regain OPCON from Washington before the end of the current administration's tenure in 2030, or potentially as early as next year. South Korea reclaimed peacetime OPCON in 1994, but the U.S. still retains wartime OPCON, with a transition plan originally agreed upon in 2007 but delayed due to North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile programs.

The allies established a "conditions-based" OPCON transition plan in 2014, requiring South Korea to lead the future combined command and secure key capabilities to counter North Korean threats. However, discrepancies over the transition timeline have emerged, with indications that the U.S. may have reservations about an accelerated transition.

In June, the U.S. Senate included a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act for regular reports on the OPCON transfer roadmap. Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), has emphasized that military readiness should not be compromised for political reasons.

Kang downplayed concerns over the timing differences between Seoul and Washington, asserting that the gap is "not significant" and that the two nations have been consulting closely. He expressed his intention to ensure thorough preparations for the "full operational capability (FOC)" certification of the future CFC at the upcoming bilateral defense meeting.

Kang also expressed agreement with outgoing Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back's belief that South Korea is well-equipped to manage an immediate OPCON transfer. He emphasized the importance of mutual trust within the South Korea-U.S. alliance. Additionally, Kang addressed the ongoing disagreement between Seoul and the U.N. Command (UNC) regarding management and control of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), advocating for mutual efforts to balance UNC authority and South Korea's sovereignty.

Regarding the growing focus of Washington on deterring China, Kang stated his commitment to maintaining a strong joint defense posture with the U.S. to ensure regional peace. He identified the North Korean regime and its military as South Korea's primary adversaries.

Kang also supported the government's proposal to merge the military academies of the Army, Air Force, and Navy, viewing it as crucial for developing "shared capabilities" for national defense and preparing South Korea for future combined command leadership following the OPCON transfer.