Lee calls for swift ‘restoration,’ not ‘transfer,’ of wartime command from US

Lee vows to pursue CPTPP after addressing potential losses for farmers and fishermen

President Lee Jae Myung on Monday renewed his call for South Korea to regain wartime operational control from the United States as early as possible, insisting that the process should be described as "regaining" or "restoring" command rather than simply "transferring" it.

"To put it bluntly, we must regain wartime operational control at an early date, and we are fully capable of doing so," Lee said during an impromptu meeting with reporters at the presidential press center, Chunchugwan, where he discussed key state affairs, including the economy and foreign and security policy.

"Consultations between Korea and the US are generally moving toward its return, although the process will not be easy," Lee added.

His remarks came amid signs of differences between Seoul and Washington over the pace of the wartime OPCON transfer, which the Lee administration aims to complete before its five-year term ends in 2030.

Last week, Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of US Forces Korea, cautioned against rushing the process, saying that evolving security threats, including North Korea's increasingly advanced missile capabilities, had created "new standards" that must be met before wartime operational control, or OPCON, can be handed over.

Lee, however, stressed that South Korea's economic and military capabilities were sufficient to justify reclaiming command of its own forces during wartime.

"Considering the Republic of Korea's international standing, we are second to none economically, culturally and militarily," Lee said, referring to South Korea by its official name. “I don’t think we can simply leave things as they are, having entrusted our wartime operational control to another country and relying on it.”

While acknowledging Washington's emphasis on ensuring South Korea's readiness to exercise independent command, Lee suggested that assessing and developing such capabilities should ultimately be Seoul's responsibility.

"We are grateful for the goodwill (of the US) in wanting to ensure that we are capable of defending ourselves and conducting independent military operations before handing over control," Lee said. "But isn't this something we should be doing ourselves?"

Lee also challenged the terminology traditionally used to describe the process, arguing that "regaining" or "restoring" wartime command would be more appropriate than "transferring" it.

"We have so far used the term 'transfer' of wartime operational control, but I believe it should be called 'regaining' or 'restoring' that control instead," he said.

Lee emphasized that "military sovereignty is one of the most fundamental elements of national sovereignty."

"We must swiftly regain wartime operational control to meet the minimum requirements of a sovereign state," he said.

Lee downplays US intelligence-sharing tensions

Lee downplayed concerns over reported strains in intelligence cooperation between Seoul and Washington, stressing that disagreements were inevitable as both countries pursued their own national interests.

"Every country pursues its own national interests, so differences of opinion are only natural," Lee said, echoing his remarks at a Cabinet meeting last Tuesday. "What matters is whether those differences remain manageable."

Lee dismissed suggestions that disagreements between the two countries' intelligence agencies signaled a breakdown in cooperation.

"I wouldn't say the NIS and US intelligence agencies are always in perfect harmony, like close family members or a happily married couple. Of course there are disagreements.," Lee said.

"But these are merely minor differences that arise as each side seeks to protect its own national interests, not because either side has done anything wrong. They are entirely manageable, and we should be able to manage them," Lee said.

His remarks came amid controversy over reported disruptions in US intelligence sharing with South Korea concerning North Korea's nuclear activities.

South Korea's National Intelligence Service acknowledged a disruption in intelligence sharing related to North Korea's nuclear activities but rejected reports of broader restrictions, maintaining that cooperation in other areas remained unaffected.

The dispute followed remarks by Unification Minister Chung Dong-young on March 6, when he publicly identified Kusong as a North Korean uranium-enrichment site alongside Yongbyon and Kangson. Washington reportedly viewed the disclosure as involving classified intelligence shared with Seoul.

Lee pointed out that what really mattered was the domestic political criticism directed at the government over diplomatic disagreements with Washington.

Lee further warned that portraying such differences as diplomatic failures could weaken South Korea's negotiating position.

"I find it hard to understand why politicians would attack their own government over foreign policy and national security simply because of domestic political differences. These are matters of national interest," Lee said.

"If you take issue with the very existence of disagreements, the only way to eliminate them is to give the other side everything it wants," he added.

Lee reaffirms CPTPP bid, prioritizes farmers' concerns

Separately, Lee reaffirmed South Korea's commitment to joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, while defending the decision to postpone its planned application amid concerns from farmers and fishermen.

"The Republic of Korea has grown and developed through exports, and we cannot avoid relying on them in the future," Lee said. "Expanding our economic territory and opening new markets is a national task that we cannot and should not avoid."

Lee underlined that "the Republic of Korea must continue expanding its economic territory over the long term."

But Lee acknowledged that joining the trade pact would expose less competitive sectors, particularly agriculture, livestock and fisheries, to increased competition, stressing that the government must compensate those who stand to lose.

Lee said rebuilding trust with farmers and fishermen was a priority, citing compensation pledges that had gone unfulfilled under previous free trade agreements.

Lee pointed to his administration's commitment to cover the roughly 700 billion won ($526.6 million) shortfall in a 1 trillion won fund pledged under the 2015 South Korea-China free trade agreement to support farmers and fishermen, a promise that has remained largely unfulfilled for more than a decade.

Lee also noted that accession would require the consent of all 12 existing CPTPP members, including Japan, making negotiations particularly complex.

"The interests involved are complex, so this is not something that can be accomplished quickly. There is no need to push too hard, but it is something we must do," Lee said.

"We need to take the time to communicate with those affected and come up with measures they can reasonably accept."

Lee said the government had postponed its planned application, previously targeted for November, and that he would meet farming organizations in the coming days to hear their concerns before deciding how to proceed.

"We need to identify the issues and develop sufficient alternatives before moving forward," he said. "The goal is to minimize distrust, anxiety and losses."