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South Korean Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul poses for a photo with U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth during their meeting on the sidelines of the 13th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Cebu, Philippines, on Oct. 28. / Courtesy of the Ministry of National Defense

The South Korean government had planned to complete the verification of the Future Combined Forces Command's Full Operational Capability (FOC) and determine a target year, known as the "X-year," for the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) at this year's South Korea-U.S. Security Consultative Meeting (SCM). However, the meeting has been postponed until early next year.

According to the Ministry of National Defense on Oct. 28, Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul held his first face-to-face meeting with U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of the 13th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus in the Philippines that day. The two agreed to hold the SCM early next year.

Kang emphasized that the South Korea-U.S. alliance has served as a linchpin of regional peace and prosperity for more than 70 years. He expressed hope that the alliance would develop into a future-oriented, comprehensive strategic alliance based on strong mutual trust and a commitment to "fight thgether."

Hegseth responded that he looked forward to strengthening cooperation between the two countries' defense authorities while maintaining a robust combined defense posture. The Ministry of National Defense said Hegseth reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the OPCON transfer and that the two ministers agreed to cooperate closely to ensure the transfer proceeds smoothly and in a timely manner.

The ministry explained that the two ministers recognized the importance of successfully holding the 58th SMC and agreed to hold bilateral defense ministerial talks in Washington this December, followed by the SCM early next year.

The government had planned to complete FOC verification and determine the "X-year," the target year for the OPCON transfer, at the upcoming 58th SCM. The SCM typically concludes with a joint statement issued following negotiations between South Korea and the United States.

The SCM is usually held between late October and early November. However, there had been expectations that holding the meeting next month would be practically difficult due to the U.S. midterm elections in November and circumstances on the Korean side, including a change of defense minister.

Some observers interpret the ministry's use of "in a timely manner" rather than "early" in its announcement as suggesting that the two countries intend to resolve their remaining differences and achieve the best possible outcome on the OPCON transfer. Hegseth also announced his meeting with Kang on social media, writing, "The United States stands with allies who are serious about their own defense."

Meanwhile, Kang also held talks with Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi that day. The two ministers exchanged views on the security situation on the Korean Peninsula and in the region, as well as bilateral defense exchanges and cooperation, including in advanced science and technology fields such as AI and unmanned systems. They agreed to steadily advance mutually beneficial and future-oriented defense exchanges and cooperation between South Korea and Japan.

The Ministry of National Defense also said the two ministers reaffirmed the importance of trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the United States and Japan in responding to North Korea's increasingly sophisticated nuclear and missile threats amid rapidly changing international circumstances and the serious security environment on the Korean Peninsula.

Kang explained the landmine explosion incident involving North Korea last September and emphasized the need for international cooperation to respond to rising military tensions on the Korean Peninsula and deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia.

                                                                                                              Lee Han-sol