SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - Gen. Xavier Brunson, the commander of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), on Friday stressed the importance of meeting conditions for the transfer of wartime operational control to Seoul from Washington rather than rushing to it.
Speaking at an online seminar hosted by the Korea-U.S. Alliance Foundation and the Korea Defense Veterans Association, Brunson said, "We cannot say we're going to slide away from the conditions just so that we can get this done in time."
He further explained, "The conditions were written for a reason, but we also have to make sure that those conditions are contemporary conditions because things change," adding "We got to start having these conversations now before we get into conflict."
His comments came after President Lee Jae Myung earlier expressed his wish to bring back wartime operational control from the U.S. by the end of his five-year term.
Brunson also emphasized that regular exercises between the allies are "absolutely" necessary to maintain security and peace on the Korean Peninsula, opposing ideas raised by some to adjust joint drills to engage with North Korea.
"Russian-[North Korea] collaboration is real. It is not a quid pro quo relationship. It is real," he pointed out. "Whenever someone talks about, I don't care who it is, talks about exercising less or exercising differently, and they need to understand that there are two times in a year where we absolutely need some support."
He also reaffirmed that the U.S. troop presence in South Korea will remain at the current 28,500, dismissing speculation by some about a possible reduction or withdrawal.
* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.
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