[Editorial] US 'Wartime Operational Control Transfer in 3 Years'... The 'Condition Fulfillment' Timeline is Tight

Dong-A Ilbo, a leading South Korean daily, expresses significant concern over the ambitious timeline for transferring wartime operational control (SOTG) of combined forces back to South Korea. The editorial highlights that while the commander of the ROK-US Combined Forces Command has submitted a roadmap aiming for completion by the second quarter of fiscal year 2029, this presents a tight schedule. The article points out the potential political complexities, especially given the overlapping US presidential terms and the upcoming South Korean presidential election. The core issue, as framed by Dong-A Ilbo, is whether South Korea can realistically meet the stringent conditions—namely, developing independent command and control, surveillance, reconnaissance, and missile defense capabilities, particularly against North Korea's nuclear threat—within the remaining three years. The newspaper emphasizes that this is not merely a matter of national pride or military sovereignty but a critical issue of practical deterrence and war-fighting capability. It cautions against prioritizing political convenience over military readiness, referencing past fluctuations in SOTG transfer plans. The editorial calls for focused investment, rigorous verification, and decisive action to achieve both self-reliance and alliance strength, underscoring the urgency and difficulty of the task ahead.