▲ This file photo, released by the Associated Press, shows U.S. Army Gen. Xavier Brunson testifying during an Armed Services hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on Sept. 17, 2024. (Yonhap)

USFK commander-OPCON

S. Korea, U.S. aim to meet conditions for OPCON transfer no later than Q2 of FY 2029: USFK commander

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, April 22 (Yonhap) -- The top U.S. general in South Korea said Wednesday that a roadmap has been delivered to the Pentagon for meeting conditions required for the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) to Seoul "not later than the second quarter of fiscal year 2029."

Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, made the remarks during a House Armed Services Committee hearing, as Seoul and Washington are working on the "conditions-based" OPCON transition. The conditions include South Korea's capabilities to lead combined Korea-U.S. forces, its strike and air defense capabilities, and a regional security environment conducive to such a handover.

"I would say that right now, we've delivered to OSW a roadmap which will get us there not later than second quarter of FY 29 and we'll continue to pursue that," he said, OSW is short for the office of secretary of war.

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