Operational control, or OPCON, refers to the authority to direct forces for a specific mission. On the Korean Peninsula, wartime OPCON of South Korean forces has been exercised by the Combined Forces Command, led by a U.S. general.
In 2007, the allies agreed to transfer wartime OPCON to South Korea. The date was delayed, and in 2014 they agreed to a conditions-based approach linked to capabilities and the security environment.
Supporters of transfer emphasize sovereignty and South Korean capability, while skeptics emphasize readiness and deterrence. Check current official sources for the latest status.
