Kang Shin‑chul Vows Faster OPCON Hand‑over Ahead of 2030

Kang Shin‑chul, the front‑runner for South Korea’s defence minister post, told a parliamentary committee that his government will accelerate the hand‑over of wartime operational control from the United States. He cited the “no‑added‑conditions” framework that underpins ongoing bilateral consultations.

If confirmed, Kang pledged to have the joint command’s full operational capability certified before the key defence talks scheduled for later this year. He also reiterated that the Lee Jae‑myung administration hopes to secure the wartime OPCON transfer before the current term finishes in 2030, and is even preparing for a possible hand‑over as early as next year.

The background to the demand lies in a 2014 “conditions‑based” transition plan, which required Seoul to demonstrate the ability to lead a future combined command, to counter the North Korean threat effectively, and to maintain a stable regional security environment.