"South Korea and US to Verify Second Phase of OPCON Transfer Next Year... MRO Cooperation Expands to Combat Ships"

Announcement of the Joint Statement of the 57th SCM

Minister of National Defense An Kyu-baek announced on November 14, "South Korea and the United States have agreed to pursue the Full Operational Capability (FOC) verification of the Future Combined Forces Command in 2026." He added, "We will further expand cooperation in shipbuilding and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO), broadening our collaboration beyond the current logistics support vessels to include combat ships and aircraft."

Defense Minister An Kyu-baek is answering questions from the press at a joint press conference held after the 57th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) between South Korea and the United States on the afternoon of the 4th at the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Joint Press Corps

Minister An made these remarks while releasing the joint statement of the 57th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) between South Korea and the United States, stating, "Based on mutual trust, South Korea and the United States will work closely together to respond to the rapidly changing security environment and threats, and to ensure that the alliance develops into a 'future-oriented comprehensive strategic alliance' with significant contributions from the defense sector." Minister An and U.S. Secretary of War (Defense) Pete Hegseth prepared this joint statement based on the agreements reached at the SCM on the 4th; however, the announcement was made today due to delays in drafting the Joint Fact Sheet (JFS), which was to summarize the outcomes of the trade and security package negotiations between the two countries.

Minister An stated, "At the first meeting between the defense ministers since the launch of both governments, South Korea and the United States reaffirmed the strength of the alliance and the combined defense posture." He continued, "The U.S. side made it clear that its defense commitment to the Republic of Korea, including the provision of extended deterrence, remains unchanged, and that the force and posture levels of U.S. Forces Korea will be maintained."

Minister An further emphasized, "Based on a strong combined defense posture, we are determined to continue strengthening our national defense capabilities so that the Republic of Korea can play an even more leading role in the security of the Korean Peninsula." He added, "To support this, we shared plans to continue increasing the defense budget." In the latest JFS, South Korea and the United States agreed on a plan to raise South Korea's defense budget to 3.5% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Regarding the transition of wartime operational control, Minister An said, "We have agreed to work closely together for a systematic, stable, and proactive transition of wartime operational control in accordance with the conditions-based transition plan." He continued, "To accelerate this process, South Korea and the United States will further develop the roadmap, pursue the FOC verification of the Future Combined Forces Command next year, and hold substantive consultations between the defense authorities going forward."

Minister An also stated, "South Korea and the United States will further expand cooperation in shipbuilding and MRO, broadening our collaboration beyond the current logistics support vessel MRO cooperation to include combat ships and aircraft." He added, "We will also actively pursue cooperation on the construction of nuclear-powered submarines, as agreed between the leaders of South Korea and the United States."