South Korea and the U.S. Have They Not Decided on the Timing for Next Year's Wartime Operational Control Evaluation?

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] There is an analysis that South Korea and the U.S. have not yet decided on the timing for the evaluation to verify the Republic of Korea Armed Forces' capability for the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON).

On the 23rd, the Ministry of National Defense submitted the '2022 Major Work Implementation Plan' in writing to President Moon Jae-in, stating that the OPCON transfer evaluation procedures will be successfully completed within next year to accelerate the return, but did not mention the timing of the evaluation.

Minister of National Defense Suh Wook appeared on KBS Sunday Diagnosis on the 12th and said, "We roughly decided to conduct the FOC next year, but our hope is whether this can be done sooner," adding, "Secretary Austin requested or instructed the military authorities to review whether the FOC can be conducted around next spring," referring to a March implementation.

However, John Kirby, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, stated at a regular briefing on the 13th (local time) regarding the timing of the Future Combined Forces Command's Full Operational Capability (FOC) verification evaluation and early OPCON return, "(Both South Korea and the U.S.) agreed to evaluate the FOC sometime in the summer."

In the end, the Ministry of National Defense did not comment on the timing of the FOC evaluation for the Future Combined Forces Command, which is agreed to be conducted within next year for the OPCON transfer. The Ministry only explained in the work plan that "a joint Korea-U.S. working group will be operated to systematically prepare for the development of the verification evaluation plan for a successful FOC evaluation."

The South Korean and U.S. governments are conducting a three-stage capability evaluation to assess the operational capability of the Future Combined Forces Command led by the Republic of Korea Armed Forces after the OPCON transfer. The first stage, Initial Operational Capability (IOC) evaluation, was completed in 2019, but the second stage FOC and third stage Full Mission Capability (FMC) evaluations were not conducted last year due to the reduction or cancellation of joint exercises amid COVID-19 and other factors.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of National Defense announced in the work plan that it will pursue three major goals: ▲ establishing an all-domain defense posture and ensuring peace settlement on the Korean Peninsula ▲ accelerating OPCON transfer based on a solid Korea-U.S. alliance foundation ▲ improving a defense environment trusted by the public.

The Ministry reported that it will "dramatically" strengthen space power capabilities, which are considered key to future battlefields and defense posture establishment. The plan includes reinforcing defense space-related organizations and experts, securing military satellites, and establishing a practical foundation for enhancement. It will also expand international cooperation related to this.

At the same time, the defense budget will be continuously increased to secure core military capabilities and early countermeasures against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. In this regard, KRW 4.7667 trillion will be invested in securing strategic deterrence capabilities against nuclear and weapons of mass destruction (WMD) threats, and KRW 8.1149 trillion will be allocated to strengthening operational response capabilities.

This year, measures to prevent sexual violence within the military, which have been ongoing, were also reported. A dedicated organization for 'sexual harassment and sexual violence prevention and response' (tentatively named 'Sexual Violence Eradication Promotion Team') will be established under the Ministry of National Defense and each military headquarters. It is reported that victims will be able to report directly to the Ministry of National Defense if they wish. Related legal amendments (Military Service Basic Act) to improve the sexual violence reporting and reporting system and the introduction of a sexual violence reporting app will also be pursued.

The target for female military personnel, initially set at 8.8%, will be raised to expand to about 9.2% of the entire military. Improvements in female soldiers' housing and working conditions will also be carried out concurrently.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.