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Seoul's incoming defense chief says South Korea will reclaim wartime command with no new conditions

9/12/2026

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.