S. Korea says in close talks with U.S. after Senate bill signals tougher OPCON transfer oversight (opens original article in a new tab)

South Korea and the U.S. are engaged in ongoing discussions about the wartime operational control (OPCON) transfer, following a U.S. Senate bill that introduces stricter congressional oversight. The bill requires the U.S. defense secretary to provide regular reports on the transition roadmap, reflecting a growing divergence in timelines between Seoul and Washington. South Korea seeks to finalize the transfer before 2030, while the U.S. emphasizes legislative scrutiny.

• South Korea and the U.S. are in close talks over the OPCON transfer following a U.S. Senate bill requiring regular reports on the transition timeline.
• The bill mandates the U.S. defense secretary to submit reports to Congress every 90 days starting March 2025, assessing conditions for the OPCON transfer.
• South Korea aims to complete FOC certification and set a target year for the transition by late 2025, while the U.S. emphasizes congressional oversight.