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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

President Lee: Retaking wartime command "should be stated as having no problems at all"

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • President Lee Jae-myung reiterated the need for swift wartime operational control (FOC) transfer from the U.S.
  • South Korea possesses strong military capabilities but is the only country among 190 nations without its own FOC.
  • The U.S. Forces Korea commander proposed a later FOC transfer date than South Korea's defense ministry, highlighting a subtle difference in views.

President Lee Jae-myung has strongly emphasized the necessity of a swift transfer of wartime operational control (FOC) from the United States, underscoring it as a core element of self-reliant defense. This assertion comes amid subtle differences in timing perspectives between South Korea and the U.S. regarding the FOC transition.

FOC recovery is a core element of self-reliant defense.

· President Lee Jae-myungPresident Lee Jae-myung emphasizing the importance of regaining wartime operational control.

At the first Future Defense Strategy Committee meeting, Defense Minister Ahn Kyu-baek presented a detailed roadmap for the FOC recovery. He highlighted that South Korea, despite possessing formidable military strength, remains the sole nation among over 190 countries without its own FOC. Ahn indicated that after completing the verification of the Combined Forces Command's full operational capability (FOC) this year, he would recommend a FOC transfer timeline to the President, aiming to materialize the recovery.

South Korea is a powerful military nation, but it is the only country among the world's 190-plus nations that does not have FOC.

· Defense Minister Ahn Kyu-baekDefense Minister Ahn Kyu-baek highlighting South Korea's unique situation regarding operational control.

While South Korea's Ministry of National Defense anticipates FOC recovery by late 2027 if consultations proceed smoothly, U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Paul LaCamera suggested a timeline of the first quarter of 2029. LaCamera has consistently stressed that meeting the conditions for transfer is more critical than the specific timing. The South Korean government, however, views the FOC transfer timing as a political decision for the leaders of both nations.

It would be correct to say there are no problems at all.

· President Lee Jae-myungPresident Lee Jae-myung correcting Defense Minister Ahn Kyu-baek's assessment of potential issues with immediate FOC recovery.

President Lee's remarks, particularly his response to Ahn's statement that "there would be no significant problem if FOC were recovered tomorrow," were pointed. Lee corrected him, stating, "It would be correct to say there are no problems at all." He further commented on a perceived lingering dependency in defense matters, asserting, "Protecting ourselves with our own strength is the foundation of a nation."

Protecting ourselves with our own strength is the foundation of a nation.

· President Lee Jae-myungPresident Lee Jae-myung stressing the fundamental importance of national self-defense capabilities.
About this summary

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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