Washington, May 11: Top defense officials from South Korea and the United States met on Monday in Washington to discuss the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) from the US to South Korea and plans for South Korea to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.
Defense Minister An Kyung-bae held a separate meeting with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, where they talked about the next steps regarding the OPCON transfer and the nuclear submarine acquisition. According to officials in Seoul, this discussion was based on agreements made during last year’s meetings between the leaders of both countries.
The meeting took place a day after South Korea concluded that an explosion and fire on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz on May 4 was caused by an attack from two unidentified flying objects. The Yonhap News Agency reported that this issue may also be discussed in the meeting.
South Korea aims to regain wartime OPCON before the end of President Lee Jae-myung’s term in 2030. Reports suggest that during Donald Trump’s presidency, Seoul wanted to complete this process by 2028. However, there are indications of differing opinions between the two countries on this matter. Last month, General Javier Brunson, commander of US Forces Korea, told Congress that both nations are aiming to meet the necessary conditions by the first quarter of 2029.
His statement suggests that the OPCON transfer may not be completed until after Trump’s term ends on January 20, 2029. South Korea transferred its military operational command to the US-led United Nations Command during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. It regained peacetime command in 1994, but wartime command remains with the US.
Under a three-phase framework, certain conditions have been established for the OPCON transfer, including South Korea’s ability to lead combined Korea-US forces, its missile and air defense capabilities, and a regional security environment that allows for a safe transition.
During last year’s annual security advisory meeting, An and Hegseth agreed to create a roadmap to expedite the OPCON transfer process and certify the second phase of the three-part program. The meeting may also discuss the recent attack on the ship, which has increased the likelihood that South Korea may reconsider its role in efforts to reduce tensions in the Middle East.
So far, Seoul has been cautious regarding Trump’s demand for naval assistance to secure the Strait of Hormuz. The government has stated that it is reviewing the US proposal to join an international coalition called the “Maritime Freedom Construct” (MFC).
On Sunday, South Korea stated that it would take all possible steps to prevent incidents like that involving the ‘HMM Namu’ cargo ship from occurring again and is closely considering the option of joining the MFC.
The meeting on Monday is also expected to address South Korea’s plans to develop nuclear-powered submarines. During the summit between President Lee Jae-myung and Trump last October, this plan was approved, but little progress has been made since then.
Before departing for Washington on Sunday, An expressed hope for progress in discussions regarding strategic submarines, stating that the first official meeting on nuclear submarines could take place before the end of the first half of the year.