South Korea-U.S. Defense Ministers Show Subtle Differences on Key Issues

Differences Remain Over OPCON Transfer, Participation in Hormuz, and Nuclear Submarines

The defense ministers of South Korea and the United States are struggling to narrow their subtle differences on key issues. There are many pending matters that require resolution, including the timeline for the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON), participation in operations in the Strait of Hormuz, and nuclear-powered submarines. However, the two sides appear to be divided in their opinions.

An Kyu-baek, South Korea’s Minister of National Defense, who is currently visiting the United States, held a meeting at the Embassy of South Korea in Washington, D.C. on the 12th (local time). He stated that he had conveyed to the U.S. the intention to review a phased approach to contributing to the normalization of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The minister described a four-stage response scenario: 1) expressing support, 2) dispatching personnel, 3) sharing information, and 4) providing military assets. In the initial stages, non-combat missions such as information sharing within a multinational cooperative framework are being considered. However, the Trump Administration could interpret this as a lack of support or cooperation regarding the Iran conflict.

Minister An also mentioned that during a meeting the previous day, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth had expressed agreement on the prompt, conditions-based transfer of OPCON. Nevertheless, there remains a difference in perceptions regarding the timing of the transition. The South Korean side is known to be pursuing a plan to set the target year as 2028, with approval from both defense ministers at the South Korea-U.S. Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) in October. In contrast, United States Forces Korea Commander Xavier Brunson recently mentioned in the U.S. Congress that the goal for meeting the conditions for OPCON transfer would be the first quarter of 2029.

Minister An emphasized, "We also had candid discussions about advancing the construction of a nuclear-powered submarine." However, no follow-up negotiations have taken place so far. Initially, a U.S. interagency negotiating team was expected to visit South Korea earlier this year to discuss nuclear submarine construction, the expansion of South Korea’s enrichment and reprocessing authority, and cooperation in the shipbuilding sector. However, the U.S. side has not sent a delegation, citing delays in investment in the U.S. and the South Korean government's investigation into Coupang. Although members of South Korea’s government-wide nuclear-powered submarine task force have visited the U.S. several times, these visits were working-level contacts for preliminary communication rather than negotiations.

Some observers note that U.S. President Donald Trump has stated his intention to consider resuming the temporarily suspended 'Project Freedom,' raising the possibility that this may also be discussed at the South Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD) scheduled for today.