{"id":15987,"date":"2018-11-01T18:39:15","date_gmt":"2018-11-01T18:39:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2018\/11\/01\/the-wartime-control-of-us-south-korean-troops-on-the-peninsula-is-evolving\/"},"modified":"2026-08-20T12:28:24","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T12:28:24","slug":"the-wartime-control-of-us-south-korean-troops-on-the-peninsula-is-evolving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/global\/asia-pacific\/2018\/11\/01\/the-wartime-control-of-us-south-korean-troops-on-the-peninsula-is-evolving\/","title":{"rendered":"South Korea could soon take control of its own wartime operations from the US"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

SEOUL \u2014 South Korea may soon take over the primary leadership role from the U.S. for wartime operations on the peninsula, following 65 years of American control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the 50th U.S.-Republic of Korea Security Consultative Meeting at the Pentagon on Oct. 31, U.S. and South Korean defense chiefs agreed on a set of measures to transform their military alliance. The agreement is meant to hand over more responsibility to the South for its national defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently, the U.S. four-star general of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command, or CFC, has the authority over the maneuvers of both U.S. and South Korean troops during wartime. South Korea retrieved its peacetime OPCON in 1994. The talks of OPCON transfer began a decade ago, but the transition effort has been hampered in the face of North Korea\u2019s increasing military threats, including nuclear capabilities<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and his South Korean counterpart Jeong Keong-doo signed a document of guiding principles, which highlight a conditions-based transition of operational control, or OPCON, of South Korean troops during wartime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn signing this document, we ensured the continuity for the ROK-led future CFC as it assumes the mission of our current U.S.-led CFC,\u201d Mattis said at a news conference, calling his meeting with Jeong a \u201cmilestone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both sides agreed to keep the CFC in place after OPCON transfer, but the command is to be under the leadership of a South Korean four-star general, with a U.S. commander assuming a supporting role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe national authorities of the U.S. are to appoint a general or an admiral to serve as the deputy commander of the post-OPCON transition CFC,\u201d the strategic document reads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jeong said the foundation for OPCON transfer was agreed upon in the wake of diplomatic efforts to deprive North Korea of nuclear weapons<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The document also guarantees U.S. forces will continue to be stationed on the Korean Peninsula, dispelling concerns that the OPCON transfer may eventually lead to the pullout of American troops in South Korea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both militaries plan to verify the initial operational capability of South Korean troops next year and evaluate the full operational and full mission capabilities in the following years with the aim of completing the OPCON transfer before the end of the incumbent Moon Jae-in administration in 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\t