South Korean President Moon and Defense Minister Song review the troops during a commemoration ceremony marking South Korea's Armed Forces Day © Jung Yeon-Je / Reuters
VOA: South Korea Wants Wartime Control of its Military
SEOUL — South Korean President Moon Jae-in says his government has stepped up efforts to take back wartime operational control (OPCON) of its forces from the U.S.-led command structure, at a time when North Korea and the U.S. are both threatening war.
In an address to commemorate the nation’s 69th Armed Forces Day Thursday, President Moon said that by increasing defense capabilities and reducing its reliance on American military might, South Korea would project more power in the region and better deter a North Korean attack.
“When the South has wartime operational control, the North will fear us more, and our armed forces will be trusted more,” Moon said.
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WNU Editor: This is the wrong message to send to North Korea right now .... they will see this as a split between South Korea and the U.S., and that South Korea is running scared. And while I do understand the reasons why South Korea wants to do this .... the timing is horrible.
More News On South Korea's President Wanting Wartime Control Of Its Military Transferred Out Of U.S. Hands
Moon Jae In stresses need for early transfer of wartime operational control from US -- Straits Times
South Korean President Moon Jae-in vows powerful military deterrent, early OPCON transfer -- Arirang News
South Korea Is Speeding Up Arms Buildup to Counter North, Its Leader Says -- New York Times
Moon touts stronger military for South -- Korea JoongAng Daily
Seoul showcases strategic weapons targeting NK -- The Korea Herald
Pyongyang will fear us more’: South Korea wants to transfer wartime army command from US -- RT
South Korea expects more provocative acts by North Korea in mid-October -- Reuters
9 comments:
u.s. been trying to make this happen for years, now.
South Korea can respond to North Korean aggression more quickly,
They won't have to worry about a dithering American politician like Barack Obama. There could be a Democrat president in 2020.
This lessens the risk for the south Koreans if a liberal, a Democrat, gets elected president.
North Korea might mistake it for weakness, but okay. Let's party.
This is a logical move. The South Korens have every reason to want a major voice in what goes on, rather than being subject to others' choices.
It de-escalates tensions. That's because North Korea views the US as being keen to start a conflict. (You don't have to agree with their opinion, but they hold it all the same.) Therefore, South Korea taking back wartime control takes the US 'out of the driver's seat' for any conflict in North Korean eyes.
This one move alone massively calms and North Koreans, and is likely to reduce the chance of them doing anything foolish. Also, it reduces the US's leeway to start a war, or to prosecute a war any way that it wishes.
Moreover, it doesn't look like weakness in North Korea's eyes. It doesn't 'send the wrong message' at all. Far from it. It says that South Korea is taking responsibility and taking seriously the possibility of war, what is needed to avert war, and their responsibilities if war breaks out. This earns the South Koreans major respect in the North.
Also, South Korea would provide 90% of the troops involved in any conflict. It would be their cities, not US cities, that the North Koreans would shell during any war. Hundreds of thousands of their citizens would die in a conventional war alone. Therefore, they have every reson to want to be in the drivers's seat on this.
thanks for sharing
You tell em! I say we turn N. Korea into a parking lot! And this being a public/private partnership we should charge to park there. You betcha!
This to me is unsurprising. You have a president who is very erratic often irrational. He's made comments about going after S.K. trade along with zero appreciation for the situation on the Korean peninsula. He seems often to have little thought for those who live in Seoul or those who are foreign workers there. And as far as the Chinese, Japanese, Russia and others who have an interest here I seriously doubt he gives any thought whatsoever.
South Korea has always had control of its own military. They would never allow the US this kind of control nor would the want that kknd of responsibility. Nevertheless it is good to see this being formalized.
There's little possibility that the US will iniate a conflict unless North Korea continues to back us in a corner. There is great risk to America that South Korea will do something that will get us involved in a war. That's a major concern.
"He's made comments about going after S.K. trade along with zero appreciation for the situation on the Korean peninsula" - Jim J
If an ally of the U.S. is under threat they have carte blanche to engage in unfair trade practices." Corollary to Jim J's quote
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States%E2%80%93Korea_Free_Trade_Agreement
I also think this is the right move. It does not matter what North Korea wants or necessarily thinks. The South Korean people have to be able to make decisions for themselves, especially if there is any chance of a nuclear strike against them. However, I give this zero chance (unless Kim will act crazy). Rationally, you do not use nuclear weapons against your brothers - they are a) your brothers and b) you will die about 30min later when the US strikes.
So yeah, I think it's a good move overall. As long as the South Korean army and the US military still coordinate closely, there is no issue
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