Kuala lumpur: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has expressed support for South Korea's efforts to regain wartime operational control (OPCON) from the United States, describing the initiative as a "great" move. He emphasized the importance of a security relationship that does not solely rely on U.S. leadership during contingencies.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Hegseth made these comments during a press briefing aboard a flight to Malaysia. He was responding to a question regarding South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's administration's aim to achieve the OPCON transfer within its current term, which concludes in 2030.
Hegseth highlighted the enduring alliance between the U.S. and South Korea, emphasizing the importance of South Korea increasing its defense capabilities. He noted that South Korea faces persistent threats, particularly from North Korea, and acknowledged the country's strategic position in the region.
The Defense Secretary described South Korea as a "combat credible" ally, stressing the need for partners to assume more significant security responsibilities. He drew parallels with expectations from European allies, underscoring that the U.S. is not retreating but rather encouraging capable nations to take the lead.
The topic of OPCON transfer is anticipated to be a central issue in the upcoming discussions between South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and Hegseth during the Security Consultative Meeting in Seoul next week. Observers suggest that the U.S. administration might support the idea of Seoul leading in wartime scenarios, aligning with calls for allies to bear more of their defense burdens.
The ongoing OPCON transition efforts are based on conditions. South Korea had ceded its OPCON during the Korean War and regained its peacetime OPCON in 1994, though wartime control remains with the U.S.
During the briefing, Hegseth refuted reports suggesting that the Pentagon's new National Defense Strategy might exclude South Korea and Taiwan from a U.S. defense line while including Japan. He also clarified that the current administration is not pursuing a NATO-like multilateral alliance in the Indo-Pacific, instead focusing on bilateral and trilateral relationships.
Pentagon officials have emphasized the need for Asian allies to contribute to "collective defense," prompting speculation about a possible multilateral security alliance. Hegseth, however, stated that the U.S. is not seeking to formalize such an alliance.
He also addressed misunderstandings regarding the Pentagon's new National Defense Strategy, reiterating that the focus on deterring threats from China remains unchanged, despite potential shifts in strategic priorities.
Hegseth is currently on an Asia tour, which includes visits to Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, and South Korea.