According to a report by Reuters on October 19, South Korean President Li Jae-myung stated that South Korea has the 'complete ability' to reclaim wartime command authority. Currently, negotiations between South Korea and the United States regarding the transfer of command authority are making progress.
"In a straightforward manner, we should reclaim wartime command authority as soon as possible. We possess the capability to do so and discussions with America overall have progressed smoothly." Li Zai Ming stated to reporters at the Qingwaitai.
But he added that since Korea has handed over wartime command to the United States for over 70 years, the process of transferring control is far from simple.
In the early 1950s, the South Korean side handed over combat command to the United Nations Command led by the United States. In 1978, this responsibility was transferred to the South-Korean-American Joint Command. In 1994, South Korea regained control of combat operations during peacetime, but did not reclaim the right to command in wartime. In 2007, South Korea and the United States agreed to transfer wartime combat command back to South Korea, but this goal has yet to be achieved.
Currently, approximately 28,500 US troops are stationed in South Korea. In addition, the US military has deployed a large amount of military equipment in South Korea.
Li Jae-ming previously stated that he hopes to complete the transfer of wartime command authority between the South Korean and U.S. military before the end of his presidency in 2030. This goal has been a priority for successive South Korean governments for decades.
According to reports, both South Korea and the United States have been evaluating whether the South Korean military has the capability to take over wartime command responsibilities, but there seems to be a disagreement between the two sides.
On October 14th, U.S. Army Commander in Korea Xavier Brunson stated that since the establishment of conditions for the transfer of wartime command authority, the security situation on the Korean Peninsula and related combat plans have changed, necessitating the adoption of new standards.
This statement has caused dissatisfaction among the South Korean side. South Korean Defense Ministry spokeswoman Jung Bina said on the 15th that if the US continues to change the terms of the transfer, South Korea may never be able to regain its wartime command authority. However, she emphasized that this is just her personal opinion. The official position of the South Korean Defense Ministry is that South Korea and the US are maintaining close consultations based on the “Condition-Based Transfer of Wartime Command Authority” plan that has been agreed upon between both sides.
According to Korean media reports, Seoul is inclined to complete the transfer of wartime command authority by 2028. However, Blunstein stated during a hearing in the U.S. Congress in April this year that the U.S. military has submitted a roadmap, aiming to meet the transfer conditions by early 2029.
