Defense minister nominee vows to seek OPCON transfer in way that strengthens Korea-US alliance

Defense Minister nominee Kang Shin-chul said Thursday he will pursue wartime operational command transfer from Washington in a way that strengthens the Korea-U.S. alliance. Seoul is in the second stage of the three-phase OPCON transition plan, which involves verifying the combined forces’ full operational capability. The government also wants to set a target year for handover at this fall’s Security Consultative Meeting.

Kang Shin-chul was nominated as defense minister in a recent Cabinet reshuffle to replace Ahn Gyu-back.

Kang is currently Korea’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia and previously served as deputy commander of the Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command.

Seoul aims to complete the full operational capability assessment process within this year.

The defense ministry says it wants to integrate the Army, Navy and Air Force military academies into one institution because modern warfare has changed and the country faces a demographic cliff.

The integration plan has met fierce opposition from reserve forces and graduates of the military academies.

Published Sep 3, 2026 10:14 am KST

Updated Sep 3, 2026 11:04 am KST

Defense Minister nominee Kang Shin-chul speaks to reporters after arriving at the Ministry of National Defense Convention in Yongsan District, Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

Defense Minister nominee Kang Shin-chul said Thursday he will pursue the retaking of wartime operational command (OPCON) from Washington in a way that will strengthen the Korea-U.S. alliance.

Kang, ex-deputy commander of the Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command, made the remarks as Seoul has been seeking to regain wartime command of Korean troops before President Lee Jae Myung's five-year term ends in 2030.

Under the three-phase OPCON transition plan, the allies are at the second stage of verifying the combined forces' "full operational capability (FOC)," with Seoul aiming to complete the FOC assessment process within this year.

"We will pursue the transition of OPCON in a way that will strengthen the Korea-U.S. alliance," Kang told reporters on his way to work to prepare for a parliamentary confirmation hearing.

Korea has been hoping to set a target year for the OPCON handover at this year's annual Security Consultative Meeting between the allies' defense chiefs this fall.

In regard to controversy over the government's push to integrate the three military academies of the Army, Navy and Air Force, Kang said he was well aware of concerns related to the plan.

The defense ministry has cited the changed nature of modern warfare and a demographic cliff as the main reasons for unifying the military academies into a single institution. But the initiative has met fierce opposition from reserve forces and graduates of the military academies.

"I know there are varied views and concerns (on the integration plan). I believe all opinions stem from a love for the military," he said, adding, "I will work to nurture excellent talent."

In a recent Cabinet reshuffle, Kang was nominated as the new defense minister to replace Ahn Gyu-back, who has served as the first civilian defense chief under the Lee administration.

He is currently Korea's ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

韩国国防部长提名人姜信哲周四表示，他将以加强韩美同盟的方式推进战时作战指挥权从华盛顿的移交。首尔目前正处于三阶段作战指挥权移交计划的第二阶段，该阶段包括验证联合部队的全面作战能力。韩国政府还希望在今年秋季的安全协商会议上确定移交的具体年份。

在最近的内阁改组中，姜信哲被提名为国防部长，接替安圭培。

康目前是韩国驻沙特阿拉伯大使，此前曾担任韩美联合司令部副司令。

首尔的目标是在今年内完成全面的作战能力评估过程。

国防部表示，由于现代战争已经改变，而且国家面临人口断崖式下降，因此希望将陆军、海军和空军军事学院合并为一个机构。

该整合计划遭到预备役部队和军事院校毕业生的强烈反对。

发布于2026年9月3日上午10:14（韩国标准时间）

更新于2026年9月3日上午11:04（韩国标准时间）

韩国国防部长提名人姜信哲周四抵达首尔龙山区国防部会议现场后接受记者采访。（韩联社）

韩国国防部长提名人姜信哲周四表示，他将以加强韩美同盟的方式，从华盛顿手中夺回战时作战指挥权（OPCON）。

曾任韩美联合司令部副司令的康先生发表上述言论之际，首尔方面正寻求在李在明总统五年任期于 2030 年结束之前重新获得韩国军队的战时指挥权。

根据三阶段作战指挥权过渡计划，盟军正处于验证联合部队“全面作战能力（FOC）”的第二阶段，首尔的目标是在今年内完成FOC评估过程。

“我们将以加强韩美同盟的方式推进作战指挥权的交接，”康在上班准备国会确认听证会的路上告诉记者。

韩国一直希望在今年秋季举行的盟军国防部长年度安全磋商会议上，为作战指挥权的移交设定一个目标年份。

针对政府推动整合陆军、海军和空军三所军事院校引发的争议，康表示他非常清楚该计划引发的担忧。

国防部将现代战争性质的改变和人口断崖式下降列为将各军事院校合并为一个机构的主要原因。但这项举措遭到了预备役部队和各军事院校毕业生的强烈反对。

“我知道大家对整合计划有不同的看法和担忧。我相信所有这些意见都源于对军队的热爱，”他说道，并补充道，“我将努力培养优秀人才。”

在最近的一次内阁改组中，康被提名为新的国防部长，接替了李明博政府首位文职国防部长安圭培。

他目前是韩国驻沙特阿拉伯大使。