WASHINGTON — With a new U.S. defense strategy calling for South Korea to take “primary” responsibility to deter North Korea, expectations are growing that the allies’ joint efforts toward the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) could gain momentum. Released last month, the Pentagon’s National Defense Strategy underscored South Korea’s capability to undertake the primary defense role with “critical, but more limited” U.S. support, at a time when President Lee Jae Myung’s administration seeks to retake the OPCON within its five-year term ending in 2030. Observers said that the general tenor of the strategy has created a favorable climate for Seoul’s pursuit of the OPCON transfer given that the transition would mean the Asian ally reducing its reliance on America’s security protection when Washington seeks to focus on deterring its top geopolitical rival, China. In an apparent sign of progress, Seoul and Washington are said to be considering presenting a target year for the transition when they hold their annual defense ministerial talks, called the Security Consultative Meet
US call for S. Korea’s ‘primary’ defense role fuels expectations for OPCON transfer
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