Direct Rebuttal of Media Reports on OPCON Transfer
Presidential Office: "It Does Not Make Sense to Claim Negotiations Have Begun Without a Minister in Charge"
Wi Sung-rak, Director of the National Security Office at the Presidential Office, dismissed claims that the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) could be used as a bargaining chip in the ongoing trade and security discussions between South Korea and the United States, stating that it is a long-term issue and has never been mentioned in the current negotiations. This response appears to be a direct attempt to address a series of reports regarding the OPCON transfer following his visit to the United States.
On July 13, Director Wi stated, "(Discussions on OPCON transfer) are not taking place at all between South Korea and the United States," adding, "There are no discussions happening through other channels either." He particularly emphasized, "It is not an agenda item currently under consideration, nor is it a card to be used in trade or security negotiations. It is simply a long-term issue that this administration also intends to pursue." OPCON refers to the authority to command and control various military operations in the event of war on the Korean Peninsula.
Director Wi also said that the issue of OPCON transfer is unlikely to be raised at the South Korea-U.S. security or trade negotiation tables in the future. He stated, "It is not a card for tariff or security consultations between South Korea and the United States."
Director Wi had previously commented during a briefing at the Presidential Office in Yongsan immediately after returning to Korea on July 9, saying that since OPCON transfer is a pledge of the new administration, it will be pursued, but added, "I do not know whether the issue (of OPCON transfer) will be raised in the consultations, but we have not reached that point yet, and discussions are ongoing."
Meanwhile, the Presidential Office also corrected reports claiming that OPCON transfer is being discussed through a separate working-level channel. Director Wi stated, "South Korea and the United States have never initiated discussions on OPCON transfer," and added, "There have been no instructions from the Presidential Office on this matter. It does not make sense to claim that negotiations have begun when there is currently no relevant minister in charge."
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