The National Security Advisor, Wi Sung-lac, emphasized on the 17th his commitment to accelerate the handover of wartime operational control (OPCON) between South Korea and the United States during his tenure, noting, “The two parties do not disagree by 5 to 10 years in terms of the transition timeline, but their views are similar.”
The director made these comments during a segment on KBS’s Sunday Diagnosis, stating, “The conditions are mostly fulfilled, and there isn’t a major difference in timing, so modifications are possible.” He added, “We will develop a plan during the second half of this year, and after completing the Full Operational Capability (FOC) assessment, we will propose the transition schedule. Once that is done, serious discussions about the exact timing will commence, and we need to reach an agreement between the two nations.”
In response to recent debates about U.S. limitations on sharing intelligence regarding North Korea, he stated, “There are no problems in intelligence exchanges between the two nations, and although there are some limited effects, these will also be addressed. We are conducting extensive behind-the-scenes discussions, and some progress has already been made.” He further mentioned, “At the same time, we are working to ensure that topics such as uranium enrichment and reprocessing, as well as nuclear submarine issues, can be discussed seriously. We will soon share positive updates.”
Regarding the strategic flexibility of U.S. Forces Korea, Director Wi mentioned, “U.S. Forces Korea is commanded by the U.S. president but also operates under South Korean sovereignty, so their actions are shaped accordingly. Even when the U.S. shows adaptability, it remains within the boundaries that respect South Korea’s position.” He provided an example, stating, “For example, the Cheonghae Unit, which is stationed in the Gulf of Aden, might have its mission adjusted based on developments in the Strait of Hormuz, right?”
Tackling worries that the participation of U.S. Forces Korea in a conflict over the Taiwan Strait might cause diplomatic tensions between South Korea and China, he stated, “As long as we follow the established framework and operational details between the two nations, we can make adjustments to prevent getting involved in unnecessary conflicts. This is not a significant issue.”
Concerning the Namu, which was targeted in the Hormuz Strait, he mentioned, “We will expedite the investigation and share the results with the public once they are determined, implementing appropriate subsequent actions. There are no other factors involved, and we will release information promptly as it becomes available.” When asked about identifying the attacker, he noted, “We have not yet determined the perpetrator, but we are preparing for all potential scenarios. In the case of the Cheonan, the torpedoed incident, there were possible suspects based on the situation, but we conducted an investigation and eventually identified the attacker. We will respond as quickly as we did in that instance.”
In response to U.S. pressure to take part in military actions in the Hormuz Strait, he stated, “We will assist and be involved as required. We are participating in international solidarity initiatives and have conducted video summit meetings with the U.K. and France, followed by continuous ministerial and technical-level discussions.”
At the U.S.-China summit on the 15th, he stated, “Although no major agreement was reached to fully change the situation, new and evolving agreements were established based on the Busan Consensus from last November. These primarily relate to trade, economy, and supply chains, which we support. While a comprehensive agreement as anticipated was not achieved, the two leaders had a constructive discussion. They established a temporary framework until the meeting in September, continuing the Busan Consensus.”
- Monday 5900 won membership, 2900 won for newspaper readers, Chosun membership
- 8 titles of newspapers and magazines worth 55,000 won, enjoy unlimited reading – Chosun Membership
- Receive 7000 points to use like cash, shop wisely, Chosun Membership
