The President of South Korea has called for the country to expedite the transfer of wartime operational control back from the United States after Trump ordered a reduction in joint military exercises between the two nations.
On Tuesday, 18 Aug 2026 GMT+7, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung urged the country to accelerate the process of transferring wartime operational control (Opcon) back from the U.S., aiming to complete it during his tenure.
He also called for the rapid development of South Korea's "nuclear-powered submarine" program and the training of military personnel suited for modern warfare, emphasizing that the alliance with the U.S. and military self-reliance are complementary, not conflicting, goals.
This recent move by the South Korean leader follows U.S. President Donald Trump's order for the Pentagon to significantly reduce the 10-day joint exercise "Ulchi Freedom Shield."
Trump claimed that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had not shown threatening behavior, and that he personally had a good relationship with Kim, prompting a desire to ease military measures to support diplomatic progress. However, Trump also hinted that another reason for reducing the exercises was South Korea's refusal to assist the U.S. in dealing with Iran.
"Recently, I asked the South Korean president whether they wanted to join us in disarming the nuclear program of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and they replied, ‘No, thank you!’" Trump stated in a message posted on Truth Social several days ago.
The U.S. has held wartime command authority over South Korean forces since the Korean War in 1953, although South Korea regained peacetime operational control in 1994. Nonetheless, South Korea continues to seek full wartime command authority to assert complete national sovereignty.
U.S. and South Korean military officials have expressed concern that North Korea is learning new warfare tactics and technologies, such as drone usage, through its personnel and arms support to Russia in the Ukraine conflict, making it necessary to adapt joint exercises to counter these emerging threats.
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Source:the guardian