Page 213 - 2020 Defence White Paper

Section

2 Expeditious Wartime
Operational Control Transition

Based on a Robust ROK–US

Alliance

Based on the robust ROK–US alliance, the ROK Armed Forces is reinforcing its
independent response capabilities to counter North Korean threats and is systematically
and proactively preparing for wartime operational control (OPCON) transition according
to the Conditions-based Wartime Operational Control Transition Plan (COTP) for a stable
establishment of a new combined defense system led by the ROK Armed Forces. The
ROK Armed Forces will make efforts for an expeditious reinforcement of their defense
capabilities necessary for wartime OPCON transition and for the acceleration of the
transition through periodic assessments.

1. Background and Progress Chapter 6

In order to meet a nationwide demand for "realizing steadfast national defense
befitting the national and military strength of the ROK", the ROK Armed Forces
is systematically and proactively pursuing a conditions-based wartime OPCON
transition based on the robust ROK–US alliance. At the ROK–US summit in
16)
June 2017, the two countries agreed to an expeditious pursuit of a conditions-based
wartime OPCON transition, making it an opportunity to establish a new combined
defense system led by the ROK Armed Forces. At the 50th SCM in October 2018, the
defense authorities of the ROK and the US signed the "Alliance Guiding Principle
Following the Transition of Wartime Operational Control", gaining a momentum for
wartime OPCON transition.
The ROK Armed Forces is making a military-wide effort to build public trust and
set the conditions for wartime OPCON transition through the creation of a ROK-
led combined defense system in the future, and is striving to reinforce the defense
capabilities necessary for wartime OPCON transition in conjunction with Defense
Reform 2.0. In addition, the ROK and the US are closely assessing the status of
16)
meeting the transition conditions, including developing future command structures A method of wartime
OPCON transition when
and strategic documents for a stable wartime OPCON transition, securing military the transition conditions of
capabilities and security
capabilities necessary to lead the combined defense and the alliance’s comprehensive environment are met.

Chapter 6. Developing a Robust ROK–US Alliance that is Mutually Complementary and Promoting Defense Exchanges and Cooperation