South Korea, US defence chiefs hold talks on OPCON transfer and nuclear submarines
Synopsis
South Korea wants wartime OPCON back by 2028 — but the US military's own congressional testimony points to 2029 at the earliest. With a Hormuz ship blast adding new pressure and nuclear submarine talks stalling, Seoul's defence chief arrived in Washington with a packed agenda and a tight political clock.
Key Takeaways
Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back met US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in Washington on 11 May for talks on OPCON transfer and nuclear submarines.
South Korea targets 2028 for wartime OPCON transfer; Gen.
Xavier Brunson told Congress conditions may not be met until Q1 2029 .
South Korea confirmed two unidentified flying objects caused the 4 May explosion on the HMM Namu cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz .
Seoul is reviewing US proposals to join the Maritime Freedom Construct (MFC) coalition for Hormuz navigation.
Progress on nuclear-powered submarines has been limited since Trump approved the move in October last year ; an inaugural working meeting may come before mid-2025.
South Korean Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back met US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in Washington on Monday, 11 May, for one-on-one talks centred on advancing the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) from the United States to South Korea and Seoul's push to acquire nuclear-powered submarines. The high-stakes meeting also came a day after South Korea confirmed that a 4 May explosion and fire aboard a South Korean-operated cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz was caused by strikes from two unidentified flying objects.
OPCON Transfer: Timelines and Tensions
South Korea is seeking to retake wartime operational control before the Lee Jae Myung government's five-year term ends in 2030, reportedly targeting 2028 for the handover — while US President Donald Trump is still in office. However, signs of divergence between the two allies have surfaced. US Forces Korea commander Gen. Xavier Brunson told Congress last month that both sides aim to meet the required conditions no later than the first quarter of 2029 — a timeline that would push the transfer past Trump's term, which ends on 20 January 2029.
South Korea handed over operational control of its forces to the US-led UN Command during the 1950–53 Korean War. It retook peacetime OPCON in 1994, but wartime operational command has remained in US hands ever since. Under a three-phase framework, conditions for the transfer include South Korea's capabilities to lead combined Korea-US forces, its strike and air defence capabilities, and a regional security environment conducive to the handover.
At last year's annual Security Consultative Meeting, Ahn and Hegseth agreed to develop a road map designed to expedite the implementation of conditions for the OPCON transfer and to seek certification of the second stage of the three-phase programme.
The Hormuz Ship Incident and Seoul's Middle East Dilemma
The bilateral talks were shadowed by Seoul's findings on the HMM Namu cargo ship blast in the Strait of Hormuz on 4 May. South Korea confirmed on Sunday that two unidentified flying objects were responsible for the explosion and fire aboard the vessel. The suspected attack has raised the possibility that Seoul could reconsider its posture in the Middle East.
Seoul has shown reservations about Trump's calls for naval assistance to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The government said it is reviewing a US proposal for an international coalition aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation in the shipping route, dubbed the Maritime Freedom Construct (MFC). On Sunday, Seoul indicated it was pursuing all possible measures to prevent a recurrence of incidents like the HMM Namu case and that it is closely reviewing participation in the MFC.
Nuclear-Powered Submarines: Slow Progress
Monday's talks were also expected to address South Korea's bid to build nuclear-powered submarines, amid little reported progress since Trump gave the green light during his summit with President Lee Jae Myung in October last year. Before departing for Washington on Sunday, Minister Ahn expressed confidence about making progress on the strategic vessels and did not rule out an inaugural bilateral meeting on the nuclear-powered submarine programme taking place before the end of the first half of 2025.
What to Watch Next
The outcome of Monday's meeting is expected to shape the pace of OPCON transition planning and whether Seoul formally joins the MFC coalition. Any announcement on a nuclear-powered submarine working group would mark a tangible first step in a programme that has so far remained largely aspirational. This comes amid broader questions about the durability of the US-South Korea alliance framework under shifting US foreign policy priorities.
Point of View
But the gap between Seoul's 2028 target and Washington's implied 2029 floor reveals how much the alliance's operational architecture still runs on American terms. The Hormuz ship blast adds a new variable: if Seoul is pushed toward the MFC, it risks entanglement in a Middle East crisis that has little domestic political support. The nuclear submarine file, meanwhile, remains the most consequential and least advanced item on the bilateral agenda — a symbol of Seoul's ambitions that has yet to move beyond a presidential handshake. How Monday's meeting resolves these three pressure points will define the alliance's practical depth for the remainder of Trump's term.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the OPCON transfer and why does it matter for South Korea?
OPCON, or wartime operational control, refers to the authority to command South Korean forces during a conflict. South Korea handed this over to the US-led UN Command during the 1950–53 Korean War and retook peacetime OPCON in 1994, but wartime command has remained with the US. Regaining it is seen as a milestone of full defence sovereignty.
When is South Korea hoping to complete the OPCON transfer?
Seoul is targeting 2028 for the transfer, aiming to complete it while President Trump is still in office. However, US Forces Korea commander Gen. Xavier Brunson told Congress last month that conditions may not be met until the first quarter of 2029, creating a potential timeline mismatch.
What happened to the HMM Namu cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz?
South Korea confirmed on Sunday that two unidentified flying objects struck the South Korean-operated HMM Namu cargo vessel on 4 May, causing an explosion and fire in the Strait of Hormuz. The suspected attack has prompted Seoul to review its security posture in the Middle East.
What is the Maritime Freedom Construct (MFC)?
The Maritime Freedom Construct is a US-proposed international coalition aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. South Korea is currently reviewing whether to join, and indicated on Sunday it is pursuing all possible measures to prevent a recurrence of incidents like the HMM Namu attack.
Where do South Korea's nuclear-powered submarine talks stand?
Progress has been limited since President Trump approved South Korea's nuclear-powered submarine programme during his summit with President Lee Jae Myung in October last year. Defence Minister Ahn expressed confidence ahead of Monday's talks and did not rule out an inaugural working meeting before the end of the first half of 2025.
