S. Korea says conditions-based OPCON transfer 'never' possible if conditions keep changing

SEOUL, Oct. 15 (Yonhap) -- The transition of wartime operational control (OPCON) from the United States to South Korea would "never" be possible should the required conditions continue to change, a defense ministry spokesperson said Thursday, in an apparent rebuttal of remarks from the chief of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) that the "conditions have changed."

"I believe transfer of wartime operational control would never be achieved if the goalpost continues to be moved," the spokesperson, Chung Bin-na, told a press briefing, stressing that such was her own view.

"The official position of the defense ministry is that South Korea and the U.S. are closely coordinating the matter based on the conditions agreed upon by the two countries," she added.

Her remarks come after the USFK commander, Gen. Xavier Brunson, noted that the conditions have changed, and thus the allies now have "new standards which we have to uphold," while speaking at a forum in Washington.

They also come amid a perceived gap between Seoul and Washington over the timing of the OPCON transfer.

Seoul seeks to retake wartime OPCON from Washington before the Lee Jae Myung administration's five-year term ends in 2030, or even as early as next year. Washington has expressed reservations about rushing the transition out of political considerations.

Chung declined to comment when asked about the ministry's position on Brunson's remarks, noting it would be inappropriate to remark on comments made by the USFK commander.

"There has been no change in the principle that South Korea and the U.S. will transfer the wartime operational control when the conditions mutually agreed upon are met," Chung said, adding the allies will continue to resolve any differences in their views ahead of the annual Security Consultative Meeting (SCM).

The allies have yet to set the date for the high-level defense dialogue, set to take place in Washington, while earlier reports suggested they have agreed to postpone the meeting until after the U.S. midterm elections slated for Nov. 3. The SCM is typically held in late October or early November.

sookim@yna.co.kr
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