When Will Wartime Command Authority Be Reclaimed? South Korea May "Set Goals" Before the End of the Year
On June 15, Xinhua News Agency reported that South Korean Defense Minister An Gyu-beom stated on the 14th that the South Korean Ministry of Defense plans to propose a "target year" for the return of wartime operational control from the U.S. military to the presidents of both countries by the end of this year.
During an interview with South Korean media that day, An Gyu-beom said that the two sides will discuss related topics at the South Korea-U.S. security meeting to be held in November, and based on this, they will present a proposal to the leaders of both countries to determine the specific year for the return of wartime operational control. When asked if there were any disputes regarding the return year, An Gyu-beom stated that both countries are trying to narrow the differences through communication.
According to South Korean media reports, as the South Korean government proposed last month to "return wartime operational control as early as next year," there is speculation that the South Korean side may set the "target year" at 2027, while U.S. officials have suggested that the relevant conditions may only be met "as early as the first quarter of 2029."
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has expressed hope to regain wartime operational control before the end of his term in 2030. In March, he stated that in response to the rapidly changing security environment, autonomous defense is essential, and South Korea "will expedite the work of regaining wartime operational control."
According to the Korea Herald, in the early 1950s, the South Korean military transferred command authority to the U.S.-led "United Nations Command," and in 1978 it was handed over to the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command, which is commanded by a U.S. general. In 1994, South Korea regained peacetime military command authority but did not regain wartime operational command authority. (Zhang Jing)
South Korea's Defense Minister proposed a target year for regaining wartime operational control from U.S. forces by the end of this year. Discussions will take place at the U.S.-South Korea security meeting in November, with speculation suggesting a target year of 2027. U.S. officials indicated that conditions for this might not be met until the first quarter of 2029. President Yoon Suk-yeol aims to achieve this by 2030.
- South Korea's Defense Minister proposed a target year for regaining wartime command from the U.S.
- Discussions on this topic will occur at the U.S.-South Korea security meeting in November.
- Speculation suggests a target year of 2027, while U.S. officials mention 2029 as the earliest possible year.
- South Korean President expressed a desire to regain command by 2030.
- South Korea regained peacetime military command in 1994 but has not yet regained wartime command.