Ahn Kyu-baek: Top defense reform priority is regaining wartime operational control; target year to be set this year

South Korea's Defense Minister Ahn Kyu-baek has identified the regaining of wartime operational control (Sokkun) as the paramount objective within the nation's defense reform agenda. Ahn reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to establishing a target year for this transfer within the current year, underscoring its significance for achieving self-reliant defense capabilities.

"If I had to pick just one out of about 10 defense reform tasks I'm pursuing, it would be regaining wartime operational control for self-reliant defense," Ahn stated during a press briefing. He described it as "perhaps our most critical, life-or-death task."

The minister revealed that extensive consultations and meetings with U.S. counterparts have taken place regarding the Sokkun transfer. While acknowledging potential differences in perspectives between the two nations, Ahn expressed confidence that the overall framework remains unchanged. He outlined that key inter-Korean defense dialogues, including the Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD), Military Committee Meeting (MCM), and Security Consultative Meeting (SCM), will proceed as scheduled to facilitate the process.

Ahn reiterated the fundamental policy of setting a transfer year within this year and subsequently reclaiming operational control, stating, "There is no change to that basic policy." He also touched upon other defense reform initiatives, indicating that approximately ten major reforms are underway, though he did not elaborate further on these other tasks during the briefing.