South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has called for greater military self-reliance and renewed his push to regain wartime operational control of the country’s armed forces, days after US President Donald Trump ordered a significant reduction in joint military exercises with Seoul.
Speaking at a Cabinet meeting in Seoul on Tuesday, Lee said the transfer of wartime operational control, or OPCON, from the United States to South Korea should proceed without disruption during his term. He also stressed that strengthening South Korea’s own defence capabilities would make the alliance with Washington stronger rather than weaken it.
Trump Orders Reduction in Military Drills
Trump announced on August 16 that he had instructed the Pentagon to substantially reduce joint military exercises with South Korea. He cited the cost of the drills, disagreements with Seoul over support for US operations involving Iran and his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
The announcement came as the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises were getting underway. The drills are designed to maintain the readiness of South Korean and US forces against potential threats from North Korea and typically involve thousands of troops.
Trump has argued that the exercises send an unnecessarily hostile signal to Pyongyang. His decision has nevertheless raised concerns in South Korea about the reliability of the US security commitment at a time when North Korea continues to expand its military capabilities.
Lee Pushes for Greater Defence Independence
Against this backdrop, Lee said Seoul must strengthen its independent defence capabilities while maintaining the US alliance.
He specifically called for progress on the planned transfer of wartime operational control and urged faster development of South Korea’s nuclear-powered submarine programme. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening military leadership and cooperation among South Korean forces.
South Korea regained peacetime operational control of its forces in 1994, but wartime operational command remains under a US-led structure. The transfer of wartime OPCON has been discussed for years but has repeatedly been delayed.
US-South Korea Alliance Remains Important
Despite his emphasis on military independence, Lee reiterated that the alliance with the United States remains important to South Korea’s security.
South Korean officials have also sought to maintain close coordination with Washington following Trump’s announcement. US Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson met South Korean defence officials on Tuesday to discuss adjustments to the joint exercises following Trump’s directive.
Lee also stressed that South Korea’s civil-defence exercises are defensive in nature and are not intended to threaten or provoke North Korea.
Growing Focus on North Korea
The developments come as Washington seeks to reopen dialogue with Pyongyang. Trump has repeatedly highlighted his relationship with Kim Jong Un and said Kim had responded to his recent outreach.
South Korea’s National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac has expressed hope that Trump’s latest overtures could help revive diplomatic engagement with North Korea. At the same time, South Korean officials remain focused on maintaining deterrence against a North Korean military that has strengthened its ties with Russia and continued developing advanced weapons.
For Seoul, Trump’s decision to reduce joint exercises could therefore accelerate an existing debate over how much responsibility South Korea should assume for its own defence. Lee’s renewed push for wartime command authority and stronger domestic military capabilities suggests that greater defence autonomy is becoming an increasingly important part of South Korea’s security strategy.
