Defense minister nominee vows to seek OPCON transfer in way that strengthens S. Korea-US alliance

Defense Minister nominee Kang Shin-chul said Thursday he will pursue the transition of wartime operational command from Washington in a way that will strengthen the South Korea-US alliance. Kang, ex-deputy commander of the South Korea-US Combined Forces Command, made the remarks as Seoul has been seeking to regain wartime command before President Lee Jae Myung's five-year term ends in 2030. Under the three-phase OPCON transition plan, the allies are at the second stage of verifying the combined