The agreement came during talks between South Korean Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Cebu, the Philippines on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus).
The two ministers agreed on the importance of successfully holding the 58th SCM and decided to meet again in Washington, D.C. in December ahead of the rescheduled conference.
The postponement marks the first time in 28 years that the annual meeting will be held in the following calendar year, a rare departure from the longstanding schedule of one of the allies' key defense forums.
Established in 1968, the SCM is the highest-level regular defense consultation mechanism between Seoul and Washington, covering issues including wartime operational control (OPCON), extended deterrence and broader military cooperation.
The delay comes as the administration of President Lee Jae Myung seeks to accelerate the transfer of wartime OPCON from Washington to Seoul, a longstanding issue in the bilateral alliance.
Seoul has sought to complete the verification of the future Combined Forces Command's full operational capability (FOC) and establish a target year for the transfer.
FOC verification represents the second stage of a three-phase, conditions-based process designed to assess South Korea's readiness to assume wartime command of combined forces.
Differences have emerged between Seoul and Washington over the pace of the transition, with the U.S. side emphasizing the need to meet agreed military requirements before proceeding.
The postponement of the SCM could complicate Seoul's efforts to establish a transfer timeline, although the two governments have reaffirmed their commitment to moving the process forward.
During the meeting on Wednesday, Hegseth reaffirmed Washington's commitment to the OPCON transfer, while both ministers agreed to cooperate closely to ensure that the transition proceeds smoothly and at an appropriate time, the ministry said.
Kang emphasized that the bilateral alliance has served as a cornerstone of regional peace and prosperity for more than seven decades.
He also expressed hope that the two countries would develop their relationship into a future-oriented comprehensive strategic alliance built on mutual trust and a shared commitment to fighting together.
Hegseth, in response, expressed his expectation that the two countries would continue strengthening defense cooperation while maintaining a robust combined defense posture, according to the ministry.
Their talks marked the first face-to-face meeting between Kang and Hegseth since Kang assumed his post last month.
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