South Korean Defense Minister Urges US on Wartime Control Transfer at Security Summit

South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik has strongly reiterated the nation's readiness to retake wartime operational control (SFTT) of its forces from the United States. Speaking at the 23rd Asia Security Summit, also known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, in Singapore, Shin informed visiting US congressional delegations that the conditions agreed upon by both nations in 2020 for the transfer have been met.

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We fully explained the agreement reached by both ROK and US in 2020 that 94% of the conditions for the transfer of wartime operational control were met.

Shin told reporters that he conveyed to the US lawmakers that the conditions-based SFTT transfer is sufficiently complete and that no difficulties would arise even if the transfer occurred immediately. He noted that the US representatives appeared to understand and be satisfied with South Korea's preparations. The minister met with delegations from both the US Senate and House of Representatives on May 30 and 31, respectively.

Earlier, during his address at the security summit, Shin had stressed that the South Korean military is actively strengthening its independent defense capabilities for the Korean Peninsula under South Korean leadership, while maintaining a robust ROK-US combined defense posture. He stated the intention to pursue both alliance strengthening and self-reliant defense efforts concurrently.

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The US lawmakers also seemed to understand and be satisfied with our preparations for wartime operational control.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegese, also attending the summit, welcomed South Korea's aspiration for greater control, calling it "encouraging." He praised South Korea's commitment to increasing defense spending to 3.5% of its GDP, commending the nation's "pragmatism and leadership." Minister Shin described Hegese's remarks as "highly significant."

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It is encouraging that allies want to have more control sooner, and we welcome that.

The Lee Jae-myung administration aims to achieve SFTT transfer by late 2027. However, US Forces Korea Commander Gen. JB Brunson has emphasized focusing on conditions rather than a fixed timeline for the transfer. The article also briefly touches upon Minister Shin's discussions with Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjirō regarding the potential Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA), a topic South Korea has approached with caution due to public concerns.

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I applaud the pragmatism and leadership that South Korea has shown.