Taking Command: The U.S.-Korea OPCON Debate | The Capital Cable #143

Under terms dating back to the Korean War, the United States retains wartime operational control, or OPCON, of South Korean forces. President Lee Jae Myung's administration seeks to complete the transfer before his term ends in 2030. Washington supports the transition and maintains that it should proceed on a conditions-based track. The Pentagon has described the process as an opportunity to strengthen South Korea's warfighting capability, and Seoul has agreed to take primary responsibility for its conventional defense against North Korea.

Where do Seoul and Washington converge and diverge on the transfer? What conditions remain to be met, and on what timeline? And what will the transfer mean for the future of the U.S.-Korea alliance?

Joining Mark Lippert to discuss these issues and more are Victor Cha and Gen. Robert Abrams, former Commander of United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command/United States Forces Korea from 2018 to 2021. 

Over a distinguished 39 year career of active duty service, General (R) Robert B. “Abe” Abrams led troops in peace and war. Following his commissioning from the United States Military Academy in 1982, he served in Germany during the Cold war, and later led combat troops in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan during multiple combat tours spanning Operation Desert Shield/Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He was the Senior Military Assistant to the 24th Secretary of Defense. He commanded at every level from Company to 4-star Major Command. His 4-star commands include the Army’s and DOD’s largest formation, US Army Forces Command, with over 750K soldiers and DA Civilians across all 3 components for over 3 years. General (R) Abrams holds a Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy, a Master of Science-Administration from Central Michigan University, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College.

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