S. Korean defense head briefs U.S. pacific air force chief on alliance

By Sam Kim
SEOUL, Oct. 7 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's defense minister met with the commander
of the U.S. Pacific Air Forces on Wednesday, his first meeting with a visiting
foreign military official since taking office, and briefed him on key changes
under way in the alliance between their countries.

During the meeting that was briefly disclosed to journalists, Defense Minister
Kim Tae-young started his conversation with Gen. Gary North by bringing up the
scheduled transfer of wartime operational control of South Korean forces from
Washington to Seoul.
Control was handed to the U.S. at the onset of the 1950-53 Korean War, which
technically continues to this day and serves as the basis for 28,500 American
troops stationed here.
South Korea is set to receive control back in April, 2012, and is currently
working with its foremost ally to ensure a smooth transition.
"Transferring the wartime operational command in 2012 is a task that lies ahead
of us," Kim told the four-star U.S. general through a translator at the Ministry
of National Defense in Seoul.
A key element of the historic transition involves the air defense command, which
South Korea and the U.S. have agreed to keep united even after the dismantling of
the Combined Forces Command in Seoul.
Kim praised Lt. Gen. Remington, the highest U.S. Air Force commander here, on his
efforts to help conduct a "systematic" transition, expressing confidence the
transfer will be successful.
Remington heads the 7th Air Force that operates about 80 non-rotational aircraft
here, while Gen. Walter Sharp oversees the entire U.S. forces in South Korea.
South Korea's chairman of general staff, Lee Sang-eui, recently told lawmakers
here that the work of transferring wartime operational control is nearly 60
percent complete.
samkim@yna.co.kr
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