Defense chief faces uphill talks in 1st US visit

“South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said Sunday that Seoul and Washington have made “systematic, stable and consistent” preparations for the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON), emphasizing that accelerating the transition process would not pose major difficulties. Ahn made the remarks to reporters at Incheon International Airport before departing for the United States for his first official visit since taking office last July. He said the allies had achieved “considerable progress” under a conditions-based agreement reached in 2015. “At that time, the two sides agreed on a conditions-based transfer plan and preparations have since proceeded in a systematic and stable manner,” Ahn said. “In that respect, I do not believe there would be significant issues in speeding up the transfer.” Seoul and Washington adopted the Conditions-based OPCON Transition Plan (COTP) during the 47th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) in 2015. Under the framework, the allies have pursued transfer based on three conditions: South Korea's ability to lead combined forces, its c

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