Kang Shin-chul vows stronger self-reliance, firmer alliance through OPCON transfer

Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul said Wednesday that South Korea would strengthen its self-reliant defense capabilities through the transfer of wartime operational control and use that foundation to further solidify the South Korea-US alliance, speaking at the National Assembly's National Defense Committee national audit.

"The greatest strategy is to win without fighting," Kang said in his opening remarks at the audit held at the Defense Ministry's main conference room. "That victory comes from overwhelming force the enemy dare not challenge."

His remarks signaled the government's intent to pursue both greater defense self-reliance through the OPCON transfer and the continued development of the bilateral alliance.

The OPCON transfer centers on shifting to a future combined command structure led by the South Korean military. Under the arrangement, the combined defense framework with the United States would be maintained, but a South Korean four-star general would serve as commander of the combined forces. The core task is not simply a procedural handover of command authority but ensuring that South Korean forces acquire the military capabilities needed to lead combined operations.

The government aims to complete verification of the future combined command's full operational capability at the Security Consultative Meeting with the United States in November and to present a target year for the OPCON transfer to the two countries' presidents. However, since setting a target year and completing the actual transfer are distinct steps, the key will be the bilateral assessment of whether conditions have been met and any subsequent verification.

Kang did not specify a timeline for the transfer or a verification schedule in his opening remarks Wednesday.

"The foundation of national defense is maintaining a firm readiness posture capable of protecting the country and its people under any circumstances," Kang said, "and beyond that, competing and prevailing across all domains." He added that the military would reinvent itself as "a warrior community most feared by enemies and most trusted by the people."

Kang also pledged that the Defense Ministry would do its utmost to build a military that wins by fulfilling its given responsibilities and mission, and asked for the National Assembly's encouragement.