Lee Jae Myung Seeks Wartime Command Transfer from Donald Trump

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday to negotiate the transition of wartime operational control (OPCON) of combined forces to South Korea. Under the current structure, a U.S. general leads the ROK/US Combined Forces Command during wartime. President Lee intends to complete the transfer to a South Korean general before his term expires in 2030 to increase national sovereignty and military autonomy.

The push for transition follows President Trump's recent decision to curtail the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercises, a move that sparked concerns over combined readiness. In response, the Lee administration appointed Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul and the Democratic Party launched a dedicated task force to oversee the transition process.

While the South Korean government maintains it is prepared for the shift, military experts have warned of potential vulnerabilities. Specifically, critics point to critical gaps in theater missile defense against nuclear threats and strategic C4ISR capabilities that may persist if the transfer is rushed.