Korea pushes OPCON transfer as US presses expanded alliance role

“Subtle differences emerged between Seoul and Washington over the future direction of the alliance during this week’s Korea-U.S. defense ministers’ meeting, as the Lee Jae Myung administration pushes for an earlier transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) while the Donald Trump administration seeks a broader role for Korea as an ally. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth met Monday at the Pentagon to discuss major alliance issues, including OPCON transfer, alliance modernization, maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz and Korea’s potential role in regional security, according to a joint statement released after the talks. In his opening remarks, Ahn emphasized Seoul’s intention to strengthen what he described as “Korea-led defense” on the peninsula. “We are also making every effort to secure core national defense capabilities through increased defense spending so that we can realize Korea-led defense of the Korean Peninsula,” Ahn said. His remarks are aligned with the Lee administration's goal to take over wartime OPCON by 2028

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