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South Korea, US agree to deepen defense cooperation amid wartime operational control talks

By The South Asia Times

SEOUL - South Korea and the United States agreed to strengthen defense cooperation on issues of “mutual security interest,” including Seoul’s efforts to regain wartime operational control (OPCON) of its military, Yonhap News reported on Tuesday.

The agreement was reached during talks at the Pentagon between South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

According to a Pentagon readout, the two sides discussed wartime OPCON transition and broader alliance modernization efforts, pledging closer coordination moving forward.

South Korea has long sought to retake wartime command authority from Washington as part of efforts to build a more self-reliant military. However, differing timelines appear to remain between the allies. Seoul is reportedly targeting 2028 for the transfer, while U.S. Forces Korea commander General Xavier Brunson recently suggested the conditions may not be met before early 2029.

The ministers also reaffirmed the role of the Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue, a key bilateral consultation mechanism, ahead of its scheduled meeting in Washington later this week.

During the talks, Ahn highlighted South Korea’s increased defense spending and efforts to strengthen independent military capabilities. Hegseth stressed the need to modernize the alliance while maintaining a “pragmatic approach” toward regional threats.

The meeting also came amid rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz following an attack on the South Korean-operated cargo ship HMM Namu earlier this month.

South Korea, US agree to deepen defense cooperation amid wartime operational control talks

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