Iron out differences
Allies should coordinate transition of OPCON
South Korea and the United States have revealed differences over Seoul s plan to regain wartime operational control (OPCON) of its troops from its ally. Now, both sides need to engage in closer consultation to narrow their differences and ensure security and peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Taking back OPCON from the U.S. is crucial for the South to regain its military sovereignty. The country transferred operational control of its troops to the U.S. during the 1950-53 Korea War. Seoul managed to take back peacetime OPCON in 1994. But it has yet to retake wartime OPCON, although the 2003-08 liberal administration of Roh Moo-hyun agreed with the U.S. in 2007 for an OPCON transition by 2015.
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South Korea, US set to move closer under Joe Biden, but China has concerns Laura Zhou and Rachel Zhang American and South Korean marines take part in an amphibious exercise in 2016, before the countries began to pause their joint military drills. Photo: AP
The military alliance between Washington and Seoul is expected to be strengthened as the new US administration moves to repair ties with its key ally on the Korean peninsula, amid its rivalry with China and concerns over North Korea.
In an early sign of a stronger alliance under the Joe Biden administration, South Korea s Defence Minister Suh Wook announced that the annual spring military exercises with the US would be resumed this year.
Posted : 2021-01-28 12:10
Updated : 2021-01-28 18:29
Defense Minister Suh Wook speaks during a press conference at his office at the Ministry of National Defense in Seoul s Yongsan District, Wednesday. Courtesy of Ministry of National Defense
By Jung Da-min, Joint Press Corps
The military is preparing to conduct regular springtime combined exercises with the U.S., Defense Minister Suh Wook said, Wednesday, adding the allies would decide whether to go ahead with the drills as planned, scale them down or cancel them based on the COVID-19 pandemic situation here.
On President Moon Jae-in s earlier remarks that it would be possible for the South to consult with North Korea through a joint military committee on the issue of the combined military training, Suh said the military is in the same position and could consult any military-related issues with Pyongyang, in accordance with the Sept. 19 Comprehensive Military Agreement signed as part of the Pyongyang Joint Declaration in 2018
Mapping out new strategy
Allies should work closely over North Korea
The United States has vowed to map out a new strategy for the denuclearization of North Korea in consultation with its allies. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Friday that President Joe Biden believes North Korea s ballistic missiles and other nuclear proliferation-related activities constitute a serious threat to international peace and security. The U.S. still has a vital interest in deterring North Korea, she said in a press briefing
Her remark drew attention as it was the Biden administration s first official statement on North Korea since its Jan. 20 inauguration. The statement is in line with what Tony Blinken, Biden s pick for secretary of state, said during his confirmation hearing Jan. 19 that the U.S. would review its approach toward North Korea.