U.S. Secretary of Defense (War) Pete Hegseth described South Korea's drive to take over wartime operational control (OPCON) as "encouraging," while calling for a balance with U.S. military operational plans.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, the Asia Security Summit held in Singapore on May 30 (local time), Hegseth said, "It is encouraging when an ally wants to exercise more control, faster, and that is an instinct we want to continue to encourage," adding that he "welcomes" the move.
At the same time, he stressed that the OPCON transfer process must strike a balance at a point where U.S. military operational plans and the responsibilities U.S. service members have shouldered for decades are respected. The remarks are interpreted as meaning that Washington's position must be sufficiently reflected throughout the transfer process.
Hegseth also cited South Korea as a model case for raising defense spending. "President Lee Jae-myung has agreed to raise defense spending to the new global standard of 3.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) and to take on greater responsibility for conventional defense," he said. "I applaud the pragmatism and leadership shown by Korea. When other allies and partners follow this path, the region will become far more stable and secure."
At the same conference, South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said in response, "We will actively pursue the strengthening of independent capabilities for a Republic of Korea-led defense of the Korean Peninsula." He added, "We will further advance the Korean-style three-axis system to counter North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, and we will also deepen and develop extended deterrence cooperation with the United States."
Ahn also touched on Seoul's role in normalizing navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. "We are joining various international efforts to ensure the safety of the strait, and we are actively reviewing realistic ways to contribute, taking into account domestic law and other considerations," he said. Ahn did not, however, mention specific measures such as the dispatch of warships.
