Defense chiefs of Korea, US to hold talks amid OPCON transfer push, Hormuz ship issue

“The top defense chiefs of Korea and the United States were set to hold talks in Washington on Monday, focusing on advancing the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) from Washington to Seoul and Korea's push to acquire nuclear-powered submarines. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back will meet U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to discuss follow-up steps on the OPCON transition and nuclear-powered submarines, in line with the agreements reached between the leaders and at high-level security talks last year, Seoul officials said. The upcoming talks also come a day after Korea determined a strike by two unidentified flying objects was behind the May 4 explosion and fire on a Korean-operated cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. The issue could be raised in Monday's talks. Korea is seeking to retake wartime OPCON before the Lee Jae Myung government's five-year term ends in 2030, reportedly targeting 2028 for the transfer while U.S. President Donald Trump is in office. However, signs of differing views between the allies have emerged after U.S. Forces Korea commander Gen. Xavier Brunson t

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