Command Transfer Agreement Reached

On October 21 (Korean time), Korea and U.S. held the 38th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) and agreed to transfer wartime operational control (OPCON) before March 15 of 2012.

At the SCM attend by Korean Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung and his U.S. counterpart Donald Rumsfeld among others, the two countries adopted a 14-point joint statement saying that the U.S. will guarantee an unclear umbrella to Korea.

According to the joint statement, the two countries agreed to complete the transfer of OPCON to Korea after October 15, 2009 and no later than March 15, 2012.

Assistant Defense Minister for Policy Kwon An-do said, “Considering the current circumstances and Korean forces’ readiness, the year 2012, the time Korea wants to regain the OPCON, is more likely.”

Korea and U.S. included the notion of “extended deterrence” in the joint statement in order to make sure the U.S. commitment to offer nuclear umbrella to Korea in detail.

“Extended deterrence” is a concept that allows the U.S. to use tactical and strategic nuclear weapons as well as existing conventional arms to counter nuclear threats or nuclear attacks against its ally.

ysh1005@donga.com