U.S. committed to transfer OPCON to Korea in 2012: commander

By Hwang Doo-hyong
WASHINGTON, July 28 (Yonhap) -- The United States will transfer the wartime
command of South Korean troops as scheduled in three years despite concerns over
nuclear-armed North Korea, the commander of U.S. Pacific forces said Tuesday.

"There's never anything that's not discussable between our great friends and
allies in South Korea, but, as you know, our president, our secretary of defense
remain committed to OPCON transfer in April of 2012 and I am unaware of any
serious discussions otherwise," Adm. Timothy Keating told a news conference.
"We're committed to OPCON, as is the president, minister of defense, and chief of
defense staff in South Korea."
Keating was referring to the planned transfer of wartime control of South Korean
troops to Seoul in 2012. The U.S. currently has wartime operational control,
known as OPCON, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War, when the U.S. fought with
South Korea against the North. South Korea got back the peacetime control of its
forces in 1994.
Concerns have risen in South Korea after North Korea's nuclear and missile tests
that the OPCON transfer will create a gap in the joint defense of South Korea.
North Korea is believed to have at least several nuclear warheads and long-range
missiles capable of reaching part of the U.S.
Defense officials and generals of South Korea and the U.S., however, have
expressed confidence in the capability of the South Korean military.
"We're at a time where we're actually transitioning to have them in the lead of
the missions, them being the South Korean military, a very capable military,
which I am encouraged by," Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff, said recently.
hdh@yna.co.kr
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