Presidential Office Calls Ahn Gyu-baek's 'OPCON Transfer Within Term' Remark a "Personal Opinion"

"This is not an issue suddenly raised by the current administration...
A matter considered by every government"
"'Five-year deadline' is not a timeframe or figure under discussion"

The Office of the President drew a line regarding Defense Minister nominee Ahn Gyu-baek's statement that the new administration aims to transfer wartime operational control (OPCON) during its term, clarifying that it was his "personal opinion."

Yonhap News

Spokesperson Kang stated during a briefing at the Yongsan presidential office on the 15th, "The issue of OPCON transfer is not something our administration suddenly brought up. It is a matter that every administration has faced and deliberated on," explaining the position.

Kang added that thorough reporting and review are underway. "Although this is not a new issue, our administration has also mentioned OPCON transfer as a policy pledge, so I can say there is a thorough process of reporting and review on this matter," Kang said. "However, setting a deadline such as 'within five years' is not a timeframe or figure that is being discussed within the presidential office at all."

During the presidential campaign, President Lee pledged to pursue the transfer of OPCON based on the South Korea-U.S. alliance by securing comprehensive deterrence capabilities.

Meanwhile, when asked about the draft of the U.S. National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2026, which reportedly includes provisions that could hinder the OPCON transfer, Spokesperson Kang replied, "It has not been discussed separately, so we have no position." The NDAA contains a clause prohibiting any reduction of the U.S. military posture on the Korean Peninsula or transfer of OPCON to the Combined Forces Command unless the Secretary of Defense certifies to Congress that such actions are in the national interest.