Ahn Kyu-baek, the Minister of National Defense candidate, stated, "The goal is to transition the wartime operational control during the term of the Lee Jae-myung government."

On the 15th, candidate Ahn responded during the National Assembly's National Defense Committee confirmation hearing to a question from Yoon Sang-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, saying, "I understand that the goal is to transition the wartime operational control during the term of the Lee Jae-myung government."

In response to a related question from Democratic Party member Hwang Hee, he also stated, "Since the agreement between South Korea and the U.S. in 2006, our military has achieved significant results through rigorous efforts after periodic evaluations."

The transition of wartime operational control is a core issue that has been discussed for nearly 20 years.

Wartime operational control was initially agreed to be transitioned in April 2012 during the Roh Moo-hyun government; however, it was postponed to December 2015 during the Lee Myung-bak administration. Subsequently, during the Park Geun-hye government, the approach shifted to "a transition when conditions are met" without specifying a timeline.

Candidate Ahn’s expression of "significant results" is interpreted as a judgment that our military's capabilities have made progress toward meeting these conditions.

"I will build a coalition defense system led by the Korean military."

Earlier, candidate Ahn, in a written response submitted to members of the National Defense Committee prior to the confirmation hearing, stated, "To promote the transition of wartime operational control in line with government policy, I will timely develop necessary elements, including a roadmap."

He further emphasized, "Our military is promoting the transition of wartime operational control, including a future coalition defense system, according to the South Korea-U.S. agreement, and I will do my utmost to ensure the coalition defense system led by the Korean military is established stably."

The issue of transitioning wartime operational control is a key security matter that will change the core of South Korea-U.S. joint operations and is expected to closely align with the security policy direction of the Lee Jae-myung government.

Image source: News1, unrelated materials photo / Facebook 'Republic of Korea Army', F-35A fighter jet taking off from Cheongju Base / News1