Korean Media: South Korea-U.S. Wartime Operational Command Authority May Be Transferred Next Year

[Global Times Special Correspondent in South Korea, Li Zhiyin] According to comprehensive reports from South Korean media, the South Korean government is accelerating the process of transferring wartime operational control (hereinafter referred to as "wartime control") to the United States. A South Korean Ministry of National Defense official revealed on the 20th that the final assessment phase of the wartime control transfer is expected to be completed within a year, with the transfer potentially occurring as early as next year. However, there are still differences between South Korea and the United States regarding the specific timeline.

According to a report by the Korean News Agency on the 21st, a relevant official from the South Korean Ministry of National Defense stated that once the comprehensive operational capability assessment conducted this year is completed and the target year for the transfer of wartime control is finalized, the final phase of the "full mission capability" assessment will be initiated immediately. After this phase is completed, the transfer of wartime control will enter its final stage.

Currently, South Korea and the United States are advancing the assessment of initial operational capability, comprehensive operational capability, and full mission capability, focusing on whether the future joint command led by South Korea has the ability to independently exercise wartime control. Reports indicate that theoretically, South Korea and the United States could set 2027 as the target year for the transfer of wartime control at the South Korea-U.S. Security Meeting scheduled for October this year, and complete the final phase assessment within the next year, subsequently finalizing the specific transfer date at next year's security meeting.

Meanwhile, the South Korean government is promoting the joint development of a roadmap for the transfer of wartime control with the United States. A South Korean Ministry of National Defense official stated that the South Korean side originally planned to complete the roadmap during the recent South Korea-U.S. Joint Defense Consultative Mechanism meeting, but due to the need to supplement certain content, the progress has been delayed, and it is expected to be completed before this year's South Korea-U.S. Security Meeting. 

Reports indicate that there is an internal view within the South Korean government that hopes to complete the transfer of wartime control before the end of the Trump administration to avoid prolonged delays in the related process.