[Exclusive] Seoul’s lack of high-altitude missile defense divides allies in OPCON transfer talks: sources

A difference between South Korea and the United States over Seoul’s high-altitude missile defense capabilities is complicating efforts to set a target year for the transfer of wartime operational control, or OPCON. According to multiple sources, the two sides differ over whether a timeframe for the transfer can be set without South Korea first fielding and operationally verifying the necessary high-altitude missile defense capabilities. “The area where South Korea and the United States differ in