- Donald Trump orders a reduction of joint military exercises with South Korea amid rising tensions with North Korea.
- Lee Jae Myung, South Korean President, called for an immediate plan to transfer control over the Combined Forces Command, which includes both South Korean and US forces.
- Regaining wartime operational control is a key goal of Lee’s administration.
President Donald Trump has ordered a reduction in joint military exercises with South Korea, a move that has intensified discussions about military control in the region.1
In response, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung reiterated his calls for the country to regain full control of its military operations from the US. This comes amid rising tensions with North Korea, which has been a persistent threat in the region.2
Lee emphasized the urgency of planning a transfer of control over the Combined Forces Command, which includes both South Korean and US forces. He stated, “Seoul should immediately plan a transfer of control” to ensure that South Korea can effectively respond to any military threats.
The goal of regaining wartime operational control has been a key objective for Lee’s administration, reflecting a long-standing desire for South Korea to assert its military independence.3
Historically, South Korea ceded full control of its military during the Korean War in the 1950s and has been striving to regain complete command for over two decades. The current geopolitical climate, marked by North Korean provocations, has made this issue even more pressing for the South Korean government.
“President Lee Jae Myung emphasized the need for South Korea to regain wartime operational control, a key goal of his administration. He urged immediate planning for the transfer of control over the Combined Forces Command, which includes both South Korean and US forces.”
Mother Jones
