Defense ministry expands outreach to US Congress over OPCON transfer bill - The Korea Times

President Lee Jae Myung shakes hands with Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) during a joint repatriation ceremony between Korea and the United States at Seoul Air Base, June 5. Joint Press Corps

Korea’s defense ministry said Friday it is expanding its outreach to the U.S. Congress in response to a Senate bill that seeks to increase Congress' power to examine the transfer process of wartime Operational Control (OPCON) from Washington to Seoul.

The bill, if passed, could be a major challenge to Seoul's plan to take over the OPCON by 2028 or even as early as the end of 2027.

A defense ministry official said, “(Korea and the U.S.) are in close consultations based on a shared understanding that OPCON transfer will continue to bolster the combined defense posture of the Korea-U.S. on the defense on the Korean Peninsula.”

While adding that it is inappropriate for the ministry to evaluate pending legislation in the U.S. Congress, the official said, “We are actively expanding outreach to Congress.”