Abrams: "Progress on OPCON Transfer... Training Outside the Korean Peninsula"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu]General Robert Abrams, Commander of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command, stated, "The United States is firmly committed to the successful implementation of the future combined command and combined defense plan led by a Korean general."

General Abrams made these remarks during an invited lecture at the 6th ROK-U.S. Alliance Forum held on the 1st at the Defense Convention in Yongsan, Seoul, hosted by the ROK-U.S. Alliance Foundation and the Korean Veterans Association of the U.S. Forces Korea.

The ROK and the U.S. have agreed that when wartime operational control (OPCON) is transferred to the ROK military, the commander of the future combined forces command will be a Korean general, and the deputy commander will be a U.S. general. His remarks are interpreted as supporting the plan for a Korean general to exercise OPCON and emphasizing the successful implementation of this plan.

General Abrams said, "The Republic of Korea and the National Assembly's will to secure and develop the core military capabilities included in the conditions-based OPCON transfer plan is crucial to fully meeting the conditions," adding, "The true strength of our military alliance is based on mutual trust and consultation."

He continued, "The combined decision-making system established within the Combined Forces Command will be maintained in the future. As long as the Combined Forces Command exists, our balanced decision-making procedures and the command structure under the ROK-U.S. Military Committee guidelines will continue," emphasizing, "This is the strength of the system we have and an unbreakable structure."

General Abrams evaluated, "In the past year alone, more progress has been made on the OPCON transfer than in the previous three years," but noted, "There is still work to be done to fully meet the transfer conditions."

The ROK-U.S. combined verification evaluation for OPCON transfer proceeds in stages: Phase 1 Basic Operational Capability (IOC), Phase 2 Full Operational Capability (FOC), and Phase 3 Full Mission Capability (FMC) verification evaluations.

Regarding the implementation of ROK-U.S. combined exercises, he stated, "Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first half combined command post exercise had to be postponed, and we could not catch up with the effect of twice-yearly theater-level exercises," adding, "Theater-level combined exercises are essential for combined readiness."

Referring to the defeat of the Smith unit during the Korean War, he said, "We must maintain a properly armed and disciplined military to ensure such lessons are never repeated. Intensive training must be conducted on the ground and in the air," and emphasized, "We must maintain a 'Fight Tonight' posture."

Regarding these remarks, some argue that the August exercises should proceed as planned in the form of OPCON transfer verification evaluations led by the ROK military, while the U.S. side suggests that combined readiness inspections should take priority, indicating some differences in opinion.

Additionally, General Abrams explained, "We need to conduct live-fire training that includes armored, infantry, mortar, artillery, helicopter, and close air support forces realistically, and air power must continue to have access to training ranges," adding, "When training range use is restricted, we send our forces to train outside the Korean Peninsula. This reduces the forces available for response in emergencies."

He expressed dissatisfaction, saying, "Recently closed firing ranges and insufficient range use due to civilian protests are significantly impacting our readiness and depleting readiness by hindering combined arms training."

In a Q&A session after the lecture, when asked about concerns that the U.S. plans to withdraw 9,500 troops from Germany and whether a similar situation might occur in Korea, he responded, "Such suspicions are completely unfounded," and said, "We still have our mission and commitment to the defense of Korea."

He added, "The North Korean missile threat is evolving and diversifying," emphasizing, "I want to stress the importance of integrating all currently available assets."