OPCON Transfer Appears Unlikely During Trump’s Term; USFK Commander Sets Spring 2029 Target for Meeting Conditions

[The Financial News] The transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) between South Korea and the United States is unlikely to be completed during the term of the Donald John Trump administration. The South Korean government had initially hoped to complete the OPCON transfer by 2028, the final year of Trump’s term, given the president’s generally positive stance on the issue. However, those plans were disrupted after General Xavier T. Brunson, commander of USFK, told the House Armed Services Committee that the target for meeting the conditions for the transfer is spring 2029. In effect, the final decision on OPCON transfer is likely to be made by the next U.S. administration, beyond the Trump administration.
On the 22nd local time, General Brunson said in connection with OPCON transfer, "We have submitted a roadmap to the Department of Defense to meet those conditions by the second quarter of fiscal 2029 (the first quarter of 2029 in South Korea)." Brunson gave the answer during his appearance before the House Armed Services Committee, after Republican Rep. Mike Rogers, the committee chairman, asked about preparations for the transfer.
The U.S. government's fiscal 2029 runs from Oct. 1, 2028, to Sept. 30, 2029. The second quarter of fiscal 2029 corresponds to January through March 2029. Since President Donald Trump’s term ends on Jan. 20, 2029, the final decision on OPCON transfer is likely to be made by a new U.S. administration.
General Brunson said, "We will continue to pursue a conditions-based OPCON transfer and ensure that all conditions are met." He had also said the previous day at the Senate Armed Services Committee that "political expediency should not outrun the conditions." He reiterated that meeting the conditions is more important than political goals.
He added, "At present, I think South Korea is in a good position, given that it continues to increase defense investment and plans to raise defense spending by 8.5% over the next three fiscal years."
General Brunson also explained, "Along with OPCON transfer, we are seeking ways to provide 'essential but more limited' support for North Korea-related missions while also broadening our perspective westward."
This suggests that USFK could secure strategic flexibility, expanding its role beyond the defense of the Korean Peninsula to other security issues in the Indo-Pacific, including the Taiwan Strait. However, the Lee Jae-myung administration has so far expressed opposition to USFK involvement in cross-strait issues involving China.
rainman@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-soo Reporter