Politics · South Korea · 3 hrs ago
South Korea defense minister clarifies remarks on U.S. trust and wartime command
South Korean Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul defended plans to transfer wartime command during a parliamentary hearing in Seoul.
The transfer would put a South Korean general in charge of combined forces, with the U.S. military in a supporting role.
An opposition lawmaker had argued that South Korea should be cautious, citing U.S. difficulties in the conflict with Iran.
Kang asked whether the U.S. military could be trusted if war broke out with North Korea, and the defense ministry later said he was challenging the lawmaker's argument, not casting doubt on the alliance.
The transfer remains a point of political dispute: governing-party lawmakers urged the government to act even if the United States does not agree, while critics warned that a unilateral move could strain the alliance.
South Korea and the United States are discussing a possible 2028 target year, but no agreed date is stated.
At a planned December security meeting, the two countries aim to complete a key assessment of the future combined command and recommend a target year to their presidents.
South Korea’s Defence Ministry said Minister Kang Shin-chul’s question about whether South Korea could trust US forces was intended to stress trust in the alliance.
Kang made the remark on October 26 during a parliamentary hearing on transferring wartime operational control to South Korea.
The remark came in response to lawmaker Seong Il-jong, who cited US difficulties in its war with Iran while questioning the transfer.
Kang said the transfer should take place with trust assured, with a South Korean general leading and US forces providing support.
The debate also exposed disagreement over the pace of the transfer and whether South Korea should proceed without US agreement.
- Who
- South Korean Defence Minister Kang Shin-chul and the Defence Ministry.
- What
- The ministry said Kang’s remarks about trusting US forces were intended to emphasise trust in the US alliance amid debate over wartime operational control.
- When
- Kang spoke on October 26, 2026; the ministry clarified his remarks on October 27.
- Where
- At a National Assembly defence committee audit in South Korea. The ministry clarification was made at a briefing in Seoul.
- Why
- Kang was responding to a lawmaker who cited US difficulties in the war with Iran while questioning the transfer of wartime operational control.
Democratic Party lawmakers urging faster transfer
Military and political critics urging caution
Transfer timetable
Democratic Party lawmakers urging faster transfer
Democratic Party lawmakers said South Korea should declare it would exercise wartime operational control on its own if the United States did not agree to a timetable.
Military and political critics urging caution
Critics said a unilateral move could damage the alliance and that transfer should remain based on agreed conditions.
Alliance and security
Democratic Party lawmakers urging faster transfer
A Democratic Party lawmaker argued South Korea should not act as though it would collapse without US forces.
Military and political critics urging caution
Kang said the transfer should take place with trust assured and with US forces supporting South Korean-led command.
President Lee Jae-myung said wartime operational control should be returned quickly.
Kang made his remarks during a parliamentary audit, responding to criticism of a faster transfer.
The Defence Ministry said Kang’s remarks were intended to emphasise trust between South Korea and the United States.
The two countries are due to discuss the transfer at the Security Consultative Meeting in Washington.
- Minister
- Kang Shin-chul
- Remark date
- October 26, 2026
- Clarification
- South Korea’s Defence Ministry said the remarks stressed trust in the US alliance
- Proposed target year
- 2028
- Next bilateral meeting
- Security Consultative Meeting in Washington in December
7 sources
S. Korea defense chief slammed over remarks questioning U.S. forces in event of war with North
PPP slams defense minister over remarks on trusting U.S. forces in event of war with N. Korea
野, '美 믿을 수 있나' 국방장관 말에 "혈맹 흔들어…경질해야"
“미군 믿을수 있냐”는 강신철에… 野 “동맹 흔드는 망언, 경질을”
What people are saying
In the event of a war with North Korea, can we trust the US forces?
We must make a system in which wartime operational control is transferred with trust assured, a South Korean general who knows Korea well commands, and US forces provide support.
The minister immediately went on to emphasise trust, and that makes his intention clearer.
If the US side does not agree at the Security Consultative Meeting this December and it falls through, I think we should come back having declared that we will exercise wartime operational control independently.