South Korea Pursues Wartime Control Transition Amidst US Conditions and Alliance Focus
The Lee Jae-myung governance is actively seeking an agreement with the United States to transition wartime control of Korean forces within its term, a goal outlined in the government’s five-year plan and previously pledged during the presidential campaign. This pursuit, however, is expected to be contingent upon meeting conditions established during the Park Geun-hye administration, emphasizing a strong Korea-US alliance as the foundation for any shift.
Discussions between South Korea and the United States regarding this transition were held on November 2, 2015, at the Yongsan Defense Ministry in Seoul, signaling a long-standing dialog on the matter. The National Planning commission formally announced the five-year plan on the 13th,prioritizing the transfer of wartime control during the current presidential term. President Lee Jae-myung, during his election campaign, committed to bolstering the Korea-US alliance to facilitate the reassumption of command authority, though a specific timeline remains undisclosed.
Navigating a Complex Security Landscape
Hong Hyun-ik, head of the National Institute of Foreign affairs and Security, highlighted the transition as a key diplomatic and security objective centered on national interests. the National Assembly affirmed its commitment to establishing a clear roadmap for the transition, underpinned by a robust alliance with the US and enhanced military capabilities to deter North Korea.
The Lee administration aims to reach an agreement with Washington to achieve this transfer of authority within its tenure. Previously, the Park Geun-hye administration reached an understanding with the US, stipulating three key conditions for the shift: the advancement of military capabilities necessary for leading combined defense efforts, the capacity to effectively counter North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, and a stable security environment on the Korean Peninsula and in the broader region.
Given the continuation of this agreement during the Park administration, US officials are likely to insist on fulfilling these conditions before any progress is made. At a meeting with korean journalists on August 8 at Camp Humphreys in Gyeonggi-do, US military commander J. Vier Brunson stressed the importance of adhering to these conditions, warning that “choosing a shortcut to speed up the transition…can endanger the planning of the korean Peninsula.”
Balancing Ambition with Prudence
A government official clarified that this caution does not represent opposition to the transition, but rather a call to accelerate efforts to meet the established criteria. “It means to speed up to achieve conditions related to the transition…and to make efforts to transform the previous work during the term,” the official stated. Secretary of Defense Ahn Kyu-baek echoed this sentiment during a National Assembly hearing on the 15th of last month, reiterating the administration’s goal of completing the transition within its term.
Beyond the security implications, the administration is also focused on internal reforms. Hong Hyun-ik announced plans to abolish and transfer functions related to potential military interventions in domestic politics, referencing the unconstitutional “12·3 emergency martial arts” incident. Furthermore, the administration intends to establish principles for peaceful coexistence between the two Koreas, drawing parallels to the foundational treaties that facilitated dialogue between east and West Germany.
The path forward remains complex, requiring careful negotiation with the United States.
Why: South Korea seeks to regain wartime control over its forces, a right it lost during the Korean War. This is driven by national pride, a desire for greater sovereignty,
