South Korea Urged to Secure Wartime Operational Control by Year-End Amid U.S. Praise

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin lauded South Korea's commitment to increasing defense spending to 3.5% of its GDP, calling it a "fresh vitality" for allies to take the lead in wartime operational control.

Austin's remarks at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore reaffirmed a broad alignment between the U.S. and South Korea on the transfer of wartime operational control, a key issue for the alliance. The South Korean government is urged to finalize the "specific timing" of this transfer by the end of the year during the Korea-U.S. Security Consultative Meeting.

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South Korean allies like Korea taking the lead in wartime operational control is fresh vitality.

Austin emphasized that allies in the Indo-Pacific must share security costs rather than succumb to "free-riding." He highlighted South Korea as a "model case" for its recent pledge to significantly boost defense spending. He also reiterated the U.S. commitment to the Indo-Pacific region, even after the recent agreement between the U.S. and Chinese presidents to build a "constructive strategic stability relationship."

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There would be no problem even if wartime operational control were recovered tomorrow.

However, significant differences remain regarding the timeline for transferring wartime operational control. The U.S. proposed the first quarter of 2029 as the target, while South Korea aims for an earlier handover. President Lee Jae-myung has expressed a strong desire for an early transfer, stating that "there would be no problem even if wartime operational control were recovered tomorrow." Defense Minister Ahn Kyu-baek echoed this sentiment, conveying to U.S. officials that a swift transfer would be manageable.

The push for an early transfer stems from concerns that the U.S. may be shifting the primary role of U.S. Forces Korea from defending South Korea to containing China. This shift could position South Korean bases as launchpads for striking China, increasing the risk of entanglement in a U.S.-China conflict. Regaining wartime operational control would allow South Korea to make its own decisions and take responsibility, thereby reducing the risk of being drawn into unwanted wars.

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We conveyed to the U.S. officials the intent and content that there would be no difficulties even if wartime operational control were transferred tomorrow.