U.S. Forces Korea Commander Brunson: “Conditions for OPCON Transfer Have Changed ... Plans Have Changed”

[Financial News] General Xavier T. Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, said that the conditions for the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON), agreed upon by South Korea and the United States, had changed, and that there had been a “change in plans.” His remarks were interpreted as suggesting that the conditions for the transfer of OPCON had not been fully met in light of changes in the security environment, including the growing threat from North Korea.
In a keynote speech at a seminar hosted by the Gold Institute for International Strategy think tank in Washington, D.C., on the 14th (local time), General Brunson said, “I am a supporter of the transfer of OPCON; it is part of modernizing the world’s best alliance.” He added, “What I oppose is violating the conditions that were set years ago and remain in place.” He said, “We have been dealing with this since 2015,” adding, “None of us can say that the conditions have not changed.”
General Brunson particularly underscored the rationale for the changed conditions by directly referring to the recent situation on the Korean Peninsula. “You only have to skim the newspapers to see that the conditions have clearly changed,” he said, pointing out that “there was yet another missile launch from North Korea this week.” He went on to say, “Because the conditions have changed and we have changed our plans, there is a new standard we have to meet.”
The “conditions” General Brunson referred to appear to encompass not only the conditions for the transfer agreed upon by the South Korean and U.S. military authorities, but also the security environment on the Korean Peninsula, which has become more serious amid North Korea’s frequent provocations. However, he did not clarify whether the “change in plans” he mentioned was the result of a unilateral U.S. military decision or an agreement between South Korea and the United States, nor exactly what plans had changed.
South Korea and the United States currently have differing views on the conditions for the transfer of OPCON. The South Korean side holds that the conditions have been sufficiently met and that an early transfer is possible, while the U.S. side is reportedly maintaining a cautious position that the conditions have yet to be met, citing assessments of key capabilities and other factors.
General Brunson also drew a clear line on an approach to the transfer of OPCON that proceeds according to a predetermined date. “Someone may decide not to oppose the transfer of OPCON, but I want us to meet the conditions set previously,” he said, firmly adding, “What we are doing is not a transfer based on ‘timing.’” He reiterated, “A deadline itself may be one of the conditions, but what matters more is having key capabilities and the ability to perform every mission fully.”
General Brunson’s remarks are expected to intensify future discussions between South Korea and the United States over whether the conditions have been met during the verification and assessment process for the transfer of OPCON.


[email protected] Yoon Jae-jun Reporter