Seoul expects substantive progress on OPCON transfer at early 2027 defense talks with US

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Friday that Seoul expects progress on wartime operational control transfer at defense talks with Washington in December and early 2027. The allies completed an assessment for full operational capability verification during this year’s Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, but have not set a completion date or target year for the transfer. Wi also outlined Seoul’s response to a DMZ land mine explosion, its continued support for Ukraine and a review of options to strengthen the Cheonghae Unit. Any relocation or expansion of the unit’s operational area would require parliamentary approval.

The annual Security Consultative Meeting, traditionally held in the fall, was postponed until early 2027 because of scheduling issues.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to the transfer during a meeting with Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul in Cebu, Philippines.

Seoul said it conducted a joint investigation with the United Nations Command into the DMZ mine explosion, demanded an apology and responsible measures from North Korea, and destroyed the North Korean minefield at the site.

Wi said Seoul would maintain sanctions against Russia and export controls while consulting with Kyiv to establish the facts and restore bilateral trust over an alleged breach of a confidential agreement.

The government has not completed its review of options for the Cheonghae Unit or developed a proposal for submission to the National Assembly.

Published Oct 30, 2026 3:50 pm KST

Updated Oct 30, 2026 5:14 pm KST

Security chief outlines response to DMZ mine blast, Ukraine policy, possible expansion of Cheonghae Unit

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac answers questions from lawmakers during a parliamentary audit of Cheong Wa Dae, the National Security Office and the Presidential Security Service at the National Assembly, Thursday. Yonhap

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Friday that Seoul expects to make progress on the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) at defense talks with Washington early next year.

Speaking at a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae, Wi said the two countries plan to hold another defense ministers’ meeting in Washington in December, followed by the annual Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) in early 2027.

“We expect to make substantive progress on the OPCON transfer,” Wi said.

He said U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to the transfer during Wednesday’s meeting with Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul in Cebu, Philippines.

A senior presidential official said Washington was not opposed to the transfer itself, although the allies still needed to meet the agreed conditions.

Wi also said the allies completed an assessment for full operational capability (FOC) verification during this year’s Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, as part of the conditions-based transfer process.

The SCM, traditionally held in the fall, had been expected to take place later this year but was postponed until early 2027. The allies have yet to announce when FOC verification will be completed or agree on a target year for the transfer.

The postponement was due to scheduling issues, while the December talks are expected to cover North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities and broader alliance cooperation, according to the official.

Regarding the land mine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Wi said the government would continue taking necessary measures following the incident that injured South Korean soldiers south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) in September.

“The government will continue to take necessary measures in response to the DMZ land mine explosion, guided by clear principles,” he said.

Wi said Seoul conducted a joint investigation with the United Nations Command, demanded an apology and responsible measures from North Korea and destroyed the North Korean minefield at the site.

The government also sent a letter to the U.N. Security Council and explained its position to other countries, he said.

Wi added that the military was responding to North Korean crossings of the MDL under its operational guidelines, while Seoul had repeatedly proposed military talks to resolve differences in how the two sides identify the MDL.

A senior presidential official said North Korea had rejected Seoul’s proposal for military talks, but the government had renewed its offer and was awaiting a response. Seoul would not recognize fences or other structures unilaterally erected by North Korea as an international border, the official added.

On Ukraine, Wi said Seoul would maintain its support despite a diplomatic dispute with Kyiv over an alleged breach of a confidential agreement concerning the transfer of North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea.

“We will continue to participate in international efforts to support Ukraine as a responsible member of the international community, separately from this issue,” he said.

He said Seoul was continuing consultations with Kyiv to establish the facts and restore bilateral trust. Seoul would also maintain its sanctions against Russia and export controls, he added.

Wi also said the government was considering expanding and strengthening the Cheonghae Unit, a naval contingent deployed to protect shipping in waters near the Strait of Hormuz.

“We are considering options, including expanding and strengthening the Cheonghae Unit, but the review has not yet been completed,” he said.

He stressed that Korea would not become involved in the war under any circumstances, while considering limited measures to protect Korean commercial vessels, secure oil shipping routes and safeguard its citizens.

Wi said the government would explain its plans to the public and the National Assembly once a decision is made.

Any relocation of the Cheonghae Unit or expansion of its operational area would require parliamentary approval, but the government has not yet developed a proposal for submission to the National Assembly, according to the official.

韩国国家安全顾问魏圣乐周五表示，首尔希望在12月和2027年初与华盛顿举行的防务会谈中，就战时作战指挥权移交问题取得进展。盟国在今年的“乙支自由之盾”联合军演期间完成了全面作战能力核查评估，但尚未确定移交完成日期或目标年份。魏圣乐还概述了首尔对非军事区地雷爆炸事件的应对措施、对乌克兰的持续支持以及对加强清海部队方案的审查。任何部队的搬迁或扩大作战区域都需要国会批准。

一年一度的安全咨询会议通常在秋季举行，但由于日程安排问题，会议被推迟到 2027 年初举行。

美国国防部长皮特·赫格塞斯在菲律宾宿务与国防部长康新哲会晤时，重申了华盛顿对此次移交的承诺。

首尔方面表示，已与联合国军司令部对非军事区地雷爆炸事件进行了联合调查，要求朝鲜道歉并采取负责任的措施，并销毁了朝鲜在该地点的雷区。

Wi表示，首尔将维持对俄罗斯的制裁和出口管制，同时与基辅磋商，以查明事实并恢复双边对涉嫌违反保密协议的信任。

政府尚未完成对清海分局各种方案的审查，也没有制定提交国会的提案。

发布于2026年10月30日下午3:50（韩国标准时间）

更新于2026年10月30日下午5:14（韩国标准时间）

安全主管概述应对非军事区地雷爆炸、乌克兰政策以及清海分队可能扩充的措施

周四，在国会举行的青瓦台、国家安全厅和总统安全保卫室的听证会上，国家安全顾问魏成乐回答了议员们的提问。（韩联社）

韩国国家安全顾问魏圣乐周五表示，首尔方面希望在明年初与华盛顿举行的防务会谈中，在战时作战指挥权（OPCON）移交问题上取得进展。

Wi在青瓦台举行的新闻发布会上表示，两国计划于12月在华盛顿举行另一次国防部长会议，随后于2027年初举行年度安全磋商会议（SCM）。

“我们预计在运营控制权移交方面取得实质性进展，”Wi说道。

他表示，美国国防部长皮特·赫格塞斯周三在菲律宾宿务与国防部长康新哲会晤时，重申了华盛顿对此次移交的承诺。

一位总统高级官员表示，华盛顿并不反对此次移交本身，尽管盟国仍需满足商定的条件。

Wi还表示，作为基于条件的移交过程的一部分，盟军在今年的乙支自由之盾演习期间完成了全面作战能力（FOC）验证评估。

通常在秋季举行的战略武器协调会议（SCM）原计划于今年晚些时候举行，但已推迟至2027年初。盟军尚未宣布何时完成全面作战能力（FOC）核查，也未就移交目标年份达成一致。

据该官员称，此次会谈因日程安排问题而推迟，预计12月的会谈将涵盖朝鲜的核武器和导弹能力以及更广泛的联盟合作。

关于非军事区（DMZ）的地雷爆炸事件，Wi表示，继9月份在军事分界线（MDL）以南发生导致韩国士兵受伤的事件后，政府将继续采取必要措施。

他说：“政府将继续按照明确的原则，采取必要措施应对非军事区地雷爆炸事件。”

Wi表示，首尔方面与联合国军司令部进行了联合调查，要求朝鲜道歉并采取负责任的措施，并摧毁了该地点的朝鲜雷区。

他说，政府还致函联合国安理会，并向其他国家解释了其立场。

Wi补充说，军方正在按照作战准则对朝鲜越过军事分界线的行为作出反应，而首尔方面则多次提议进行军事会谈，以解决双方在如何界定军事分界线方面的分歧。

一位韩国总统府高级官员表示，朝鲜拒绝了首尔提出的军事会谈提议，但韩国政府已再次提出该提议，目前正在等待朝鲜的回应。这位官员补充说，首尔不会承认朝鲜单方面修建的围栏或其他设施为国际边界。

关于乌克兰问题，魏表示，尽管首尔与基辅就朝鲜涉嫌违反有关向韩国移交朝鲜战俘的保密协议存在外交争端，但首尔仍将继续支持乌克兰。

他说：“作为国际社会负责任的成员，我们将继续参与支持乌克兰的国际努力，这与这个问题无关。”

他表示，首尔正继续与基辅磋商，以查明事实并恢复双边互信。他还补充说，首尔也将继续对俄罗斯实施制裁和出口管制。

Wi还表示，政府正在考虑扩大和加强清海部队，这是一支部署在霍尔木兹海峡附近水域保护航运的海军特遣队。

“我们正在考虑各种方案，包括扩大和加强清海分局，但审查尚未完成，”他说。

他强调，韩国在任何情况下都不会卷入战争，同时会考虑采取有限措施来保护韩国商船、保障石油运输路线和维护公民安全。

魏先生表示，政府一旦做出决定，就会向公众和国会解释其计划。

据该官员称，青海部队的任何搬迁或行动范围的扩大都需要国会批准，但政府尚未制定提交国会的提案。