Wi Sung-lak: "OPCON Transfer Roadmap to Be Completed This Year... Reviewing U.S. Maritime Freedom Initiative for Hormuz"

"Constant Monitoring of 26 Vessels and 160 Crew Members in Hormuz"

"Swift Investigation into the HMM Namu Incident"


"Defense Exports Rebound to $15.4 Billion"

"Reviewing CPTPP Membership and Resumption of Korea-Mexico FTA"

On May 13, National Security Advisor Wi Sung-lac stated regarding the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON), "This year, we plan to complete the master roadmap for OPCON transfer and are also working on the verification of full operational capability." Regarding the issue of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, he explained that while international cooperation options such as the U.S.-proposed 'Project Freedom' are being considered, the review is primarily focused on the Maritime Freedom Coalition (MFC).

Wi made these remarks during his keynote speech at a meeting hosted by the Korea News Editors' Association at the Seoul Press Center that afternoon, stating, "South Korean and U.S. defense and military authorities are working to expedite the transition of wartime operational control."

He added, "Our military is pursuing transformation into a democratic force in line with the future security environment," and, "We are seeking to secure capabilities, including an increase in the defense budget, so that the South Korean military can play a leading role in the defense of the Korean Peninsula." He continued, "Under a robust combined defense posture, we will enhance our own capabilities by advancing cooperation with the United States in nuclear potential, enrichment and reprocessing, the shipbuilding sector, restructuring cutting-edge weapons systems, and the swift transformation into a smart, strong military."

Addressing the Middle East war and heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, Wi emphasized that ensuring the safety of South Korean citizens and seafarers is the top priority. He said, "From the very outset of the Middle East conflict, our highest priority has been the safety of our citizens, and we mobilized all available resources," adding, "Around 1,500 of our nationals were able to evacuate to safe locations or return home with direct government support."

He continued, "We are maintaining a constant communication system with the shipping companies and crew of 26 South Korean vessels and 160 seafarers currently stranded inside the Strait of Hormuz to ensure their safety," and emphasized, "We are also working closely with key countries."

Regarding the recent attack on the HMM Namu-ho, Wi explained, "We worked closely with authorities in the United Arab Emirates to ensure that the vessel was safely towed to port, the crew was disembarked, and a joint government investigation was conducted swiftly and smoothly." He also noted, "As soon as our local diplomatic mission was informed that one crew member was injured, we provided immediate and safe support so that the individual could receive necessary treatment."

Wi stated that South Korea is actively participating in international cooperation to ensure the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. He said, "There are initiatives led by the United Kingdom and France, and on April 17, the President attended a video summit with other heads of state and expressed our intention to make a tangible contribution."

Regarding the U.S.-proposed Maritime Freedom Coalition, or MFC, and 'Project Freedom,' Wi stated, "Our government is reviewing the Maritime Freedom Coalition as the main focus, as it does with other international cooperation initiatives." This suggests that while South Korea is participating in international discussions on freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, it intends to take a cautious approach towards initiatives with a strong military component.

Wi also mentioned achievements in the defense industry. He said, "By establishing a pan-government defense industry control tower centered on the Office of the President, we reversed a two-year decline in defense exports," adding, "We achieved USD 15.4 billion in defense exports." He continued, "Going forward, we will diversify defense industry cooperation so that K-Defense continues to be a driving force for security and peace, and we will also work to continuously apply innovative technologies in the defense sector, such as drones, robots, and artificial intelligence (AI)."

As for diplomatic achievements over the past year, Wi highlighted the restoration of summit diplomacy and stabilization of relations with neighboring countries. He said, "Over the past year, we restored summit diplomacy early and successfully announced that democratic Korea has returned to the multilateral stage," adding, "We stabilized relations with major neighboring countries and established a foundation for pragmatic, national interest-centered diplomacy."

Specific achievements included the shortest-ever timeframe for reciprocal South Korea-U.S. presidential visits, the first visit by the Chinese president to South Korea in 11 years, the early restoration of South Korea-Japan shuttle diplomacy, the successful hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, and consecutive invitations to the Group of Seven (G7) summits. Wi said, "We are working with major countries on nuclear power, defense, AI, and other areas to strengthen future competitiveness, and through this, we are building the foundation for people's livelihoods and pragmatic diplomacy."

For the second year, Wi designated the expansion of economic security diplomacy as a key task. He stated, "To expand markets and strengthen diplomatic safety nets, we are considering joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), resuming free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with Mexico, and seeking progress in improving the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India." He added, "We will further solidify economic security by securing supply chains for key minerals and energy, and we plan to regularly operate a public-private joint export and order diplomacy support team to help South Korean companies win major orders in nuclear power and infrastructure sectors."

Regarding the Korean Peninsula, Wi said, "We will do everything possible to restore inter-Korean relations, but will not rush the process." He continued, "Based on close South Korea-U.S. cooperation, we will continue efforts to bring North Korea to dialogue, seek diplomatic opportunities for North Korea-U.S. engagement, and, in preparation for the launch of future talks, South Korea and the United States will closely coordinate plans for dialogue and denuclearization with North Korea."

Wi concluded, "Unexpected diplomatic and security situations continue to arise, but we will implement foreign and security policy based on public support," adding, "We will work so that this period is recognized as one in which our foreign and security policy contributed to a major transformation and leap forward for the Republic of Korea."