Seoul is moving to reclaim wartime command of its military forces from the United States, and South Korea's defense minister nominee says the country will pursue that goal under a principle of "no added conditions." Wartime operational control, called OPCON, is the authority to direct combined allied forces during a conflict. That authority currently rests with the United States, and Seoul wants it back.
The "no added conditions" framing is a negotiating position. When allied governments transfer military authority, the handover is typically governed by criteria that both sides must satisfy before control changes hands. A "no added conditions" stance means Seoul will not accept new requirements added to that process. The nominee described this as the guiding principle for pursuing the transfer.
The statement was made ahead of the nominee taking office. No timeline for the handover was given.