Washington, May 11: South Korea and the United States held a crucial meeting on Monday, focusing on the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) from the U.S. to South Korea and the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines. The discussions took place between top defense officials from both nations in Washington.
Defense Minister An Kyung-bae met separately with U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. They deliberated on the next steps regarding the OPCON transfer and the nuclear submarines. According to officials in Seoul, the talks were based on agreements made during previous meetings between the leaders and security officials of both countries last year.
This meeting came 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.
According to Yonhap News Agency, this issue may also be discussed during the meeting.
South Korea aims to regain wartime OPCON before President Lee Jae-myung’s term ends in 2030. Reports indicate that during Donald Trump’s presidency, Seoul sought to complete this process by 2028.
However, there are signs of differing opinions between the two nations on this matter. Last month, General Javier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, informed Congress that both countries are targeting the first quarter of 2029 to meet the necessary conditions.
His statement suggests that the OPCON transfer may not be completed until after Trump’s term ends on January 20, 2029.
South Korea transferred operational command of its military to the U.S.-led United Nations Command during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. It regained peacetime command in 1994, but wartime command remains with the U.S.
Under a three-phase framework, specific conditions for the OPCON transfer have been established. These include South Korea’s capacity to lead joint U.S.-Korea forces, its missile and air defense capabilities, and a regional security environment that allows for a secure transition.
During last year’s annual security advisory meeting, An and Hegseth agreed to create a roadmap to expedite the OPCON transfer process and validate the second phase of the three-part program.
The meeting may also address the recent attack on the ship. Following this incident, there is an increased possibility that South Korea might reconsider its role in efforts to reduce tensions in the Middle East.
So far, Seoul has been cautious regarding Trump’s request for naval assistance to secure the Strait of Hormuz. The government stated it is reviewing the U.S. proposal to join an international coalition called the “Maritime Freedom Construct” (MFC).
On Sunday, South Korea announced it would take all possible measures to prevent incidents like the one involving the ‘HMM Namu’ cargo ship and is closely considering the option of joining the MFC.
The meeting on Monday is also expected to cover plans for South Korea to develop nuclear-powered submarines. This initiative was approved by Trump during a summit with President Lee Jae-myung last October, but little progress has been made since then.
Before departing for Washington on Sunday, An expressed hope for progress in discussions regarding strategic submarines. He also mentioned that the first official meeting on nuclear submarines could occur before the end of the first half of the year.
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