Pentagon reaffirms conditions-based OPCON transition to S. Korea amid debate over timing

What happened: The Pentagon said the transfer of wartime operational control Why it matters: The remarks come amid a perceived gap between Seoul and Washington over timing, after US Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson said conditions have changed and Seoul's defense ministry warned against moving goalposts. Key numbers: Lee spoke at a meeting marking his 500th day in office. Seoul seeks the transfer before his term ends in 2030. South Korea handed OPCON to the UN Command during the 1950-53 Korean War, then to the Combined Forces Command in 1978, and retook peacetime OPCON in 1994.

The Pentagon said the transfer of wartime operational control

The remarks come amid a perceived gap between Seoul and Washington over timing, after US Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson said conditions have changed and Seoul's defense ministry warned against moving goalposts. Key numbers: Lee spoke at a meeting marking his 500th day in office. Seoul seeks the transfer before his term ends in 2030. South Korea handed OPCON to the UN Command during the 1950-53 Korean War, then to the Combined Forces Command in 1978, and retook peacetime OPCON in 1994.