Politics · South Korea · 3 hrs ago
US Says Wartime Command Transfer Must Meet Agreed Conditions
The US says South Korea’s wartime command transfer depends on agreed conditions being met by both countries.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has said he wants the transfer to happen quickly.
The transfer concerns who leads combined forces in wartime, and South Korea and the US agreed on conditions for it in 2014.
These include South Korea’s military capacity to lead the combined defence, the allies’ ability to address North Korean nuclear and missile threats, and a suitable security environment.
US Forces Korea commander Xavier Brunson said the conditions had changed and new standards applied, but the US Department of War did not explain what had changed.
The US says it will not predict the decision or outcome, and the transfer remains tied to meeting the agreed conditions.
The US Department of War said wartime operational control can transfer only when conditions agreed by the United States and South Korea are met.
It said the two countries continue to agree that the required conditions must be fulfilled before a transfer and that it would not prejudge the process or its outcome.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has called for an early return of wartime operational control, saying it is necessary for national sovereignty.
The department did not explain what changes US Forces Korea commander Xavier Brunson had referred to, or whether the existing conditions or assessment standards had changed.
The conditions agreed by the allies in 2014 cover South Korea’s military capabilities, its ability to counter North Korean nuclear and missile threats, and the security environment.
- Who
- The US Department of War and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung.
- What
- The department said wartime operational control must transfer under conditions agreed by both countries. Lee called for an early return.
- When
- The statements were reported on October 19 and 20, 2026.
- Where
- South Korea; Lee spoke at the Cheong Wa Dae press briefing venue, and Brunson made his remarks in Washington, DC.
- Why
- The United States said agreed conditions must be met before transfer. Lee said an early return was needed for national sovereignty.
President Lee Jae-myung
US Department of War
Transfer timing
President Lee Jae-myung
Lee said wartime operational control should be returned early and without delay.
US Department of War
The department said the transfer remains based on conditions agreed by both countries.
Basis for transfer
President Lee Jae-myung
Lee said South Korea should be able to handle its own defence and address any capability gaps.
US Department of War
The department said it would not prejudge the decision or outcome of the bilateral process.
Brunson said at a seminar in Washington, DC, that conditions for the transfer had changed and there were new standards to meet.
Lee called for an early return of wartime operational control at a press briefing in South Korea.
The US Department of War reiterated that transfer depends on conditions agreed by the United States and South Korea.
- Agreed conditions
- Three, agreed by the allies in 2014
- Military capability
- Needed to lead combined defence
- North Korean threats
- Ability to counter the comprehensive nuclear and missile threat
- Security environment
- Conditions on the Korean Peninsula and in the region
- Brunson’s remarks
- October 14, in Washington, DC
What people are saying
The transfer of wartime operational control remains a process based on conditions mutually agreed upon by the United States and South Korea.
Both countries continue to agree that the necessary conditions must be met before the transfer takes place.
It must be returned quickly to meet the minimum requirements of a sovereign state and to have military sovereignty.
The conditions have changed and our plan has changed, so there are new standards we have to meet.