US-Korea Defense Talks: Will 2028 Be the Year for Command Transfer?

[Anchor] Attention is focused on whether the recent Republic of Korea–U.S. defense ministers’ meeting narrowed differences over the transfer of wartime operational control. Observers are particularly watching the Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD), which convenes immediately after the ministers’ talks, to see if it will reach concrete agreement on a target year for the transfer. This is Ji Seong-rim. [Reporter] According to the joint press statement, the two most important agenda items at the defense ministers’ meeting were the transfer of wartime operational control, pushed by Seoul, and alliance modernization, raised by Washington. Lee Kyung-ho, deputy spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, said, “This year’s SCM is scheduled to conduct an FOC verification of the Future Combined Forces Command, and that issue was discussed” — referring to the Full Operational Capability (FOC) verification. Before the Korea-U.S. Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) scheduled for October, Seoul and Washington plan to complete the FOC verification, which is the second of three evaluation and verification steps toward the transfer, and secure approval from both defense ministers. Based on the FOC results, the defense ministers will select a target year for the transfer at the SCM. The Lee Jae-myung administration aims to complete the transfer in 2028, before the end of the Trump administration’s term. However, a recent remark by the commander of U.S. Forces Korea suggesting that conditions might be met in 2029 has underscored a divergence in expectations between the two sides. The defense ministers are likely to have exchanged views on the timing for completing the transfer. The issue is expected to be discussed in more detail at the KIDD meeting that follows the ministers’ talks. South Korea will send Kim Hong-chul, director of defense policy, to the KIDD. Analysts warn that if the parties fail to find common ground there, selecting a target year at the October SCM could be jeopardized. This is Ji Seong-rim of Yonhap News TV. [Video reporting: Jung Jae-hyun] [Video editing: Kim Hwi-su] [News review] For inquiries and tips to Yonhap News TV: KakaoTalk/LINE jebo23; Ji Seong-rim (yoonik@yna.co.kr)