Defense minister nominee Kang Shin-chul is drawing attention in Seoul for his close working ties with Gen. Xavier Brunson and other U.S. commanders. His rapport and alliance experience could matter as South Korea and the United States negotiate wartime OPCON transfer and joint exercises. But major decisions still depend on policy choices in Seoul and Washington, and Kang has avoided giving a specific timeline.
Gen. Xavier Brunson, left, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, poses with Kang Shin-chul, then-deputy commander of the Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command, in a photo posted on Brunson’s social media account in March 2025. Captured from X (formerly Twitter)
Defense minister nominee Kang Shin-chul is drawing attention not only for his extensive military career, but also for his experience working closely with U.S. commanders — particularly Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of the Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC) and U.S. Forces Korea.
Military and defense officials who have worked with Kang describe him as someone who understands how the U.S. military thinks and prefers coordination over pushing his own position. That experience could prove useful as Seoul and Washington face sensitive negotiations over the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) and joint military exercises.
