South Korean military authorities believe that the evaluation and verification of the Full Mission Capability (FMC), the final stage in the transfer of wartime operational control, can be completed in about a year.
The government is also considering a plan to finalize the verification of full operational capability this year and present a target year for the transfer of operational control.
A Defense Ministry official stated on May 20 that if the target year for the transfer is determined during this year's verification of full operational capability, the evaluation and verification of FMC will begin immediately, leading into the final stage of the transfer process.
Once the verification of the future combined command, which will oversee joint U.S.-South Korean operations during wartime, is completed, the defense ministers of both countries will propose a specific date for the transfer to their respective presidents.
The government believes that the FMC evaluation and verification can be completed within a year since both processes can be conducted simultaneously.
The Defense Ministry official added that during the U.S.-South Korea Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD) held on May 12 and 13, the goal was to finalize the roadmap for the transfer of operational control, but the process has been delayed due to the extensive content that needs to be addressed. He emphasized that the transfer is a matter decided at the policy and political level.
Discussions are ongoing between the U.S. and South Korea regarding how to assess modern warfare, which has evolved with new weapon systems and changes in combat methods.
Additionally, the management of the Northern Limit Line was officially discussed as an agenda item during the KIDD meeting. The Defense Ministry official noted that the Northern Limit Line is not a perfectly straight line and that since 2011, there has been a need to change the requirement for U.S. permission to cross certain areas. He stated that significant progress was made during this discussion.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.