**South Korea’s Defense Minister Nominee Prioritizes OPCON Transfer Amid Rising North Korean Threats**
South Korea’s nominee for defense minister, Kang Shin-chul, announced on Thursday that he intends to advance the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) from the United States to Seoul. Kang stated that he would pursue this transition in a manner designed to strengthen the existing military alliance between the two nations.
The announcement comes as South Korea prepares to increase its defense spending to more than $53 billion for the upcoming year. This budgetary allocation is intended to bolster the country’s capabilities in countering North Korea’s ongoing nuclear and missile threats.
The proposed transfer of OPCON remains a central component of South Korea’s long-term defense strategy, aimed at granting Seoul primary command authority during wartime, while maintaining a robust security partnership with the United States.
Article and image source: nknews.org