The U.S. and South Korea have delayed transferring wartime operational control of allied forces by taking on a "conditions-based approach" and scrapping the previously set deadline of 2015.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Korean Minister of National Defense Han Min-koo made the announcement Thursday during a joint press briefing at the Pentagon following the 46th annual Security Consultative Meeting.

South Korea was scheduled to take operational control of the two nation's forces, in the event of a war, by the end of 2015.

Now, no new date will be set. Instead, the two nations are working to "ensure when the transfer does occur, Korean forces have the necessary capability to address an intensifying North Korean threat," Hagel said.

The two leaders signed a memorandum of understanding during their meeting, Hagel said, adding that the U.S. is "reaffirming our commitment to the alliance."

"The Republic of Korea's military will target the middle of 2020 in order to secure the core military capabilities outlined by the postponement of the OPCON transition," Han said.

Since the truce that ended the Korean War in 1953, an American general has been charged with wartime command of the U.S.-led Combined Forces Command, with a South Korean general serving as deputy, according to information from DoD. South Korea retains control of its military in peacetime.

The men also discussed ways to respond to North Korean threats and provocations while maintaining peace and stability on the Korean peninsula, Han said.

"The security situation on the Korean peninsula is more precarious than ever," Han said.

He added that North Korea's "diplomatic isolation and chronic economic crisis will, in the long-term, increase instability."

Parties from both nations will create a new plan that will replace the Strategic Alliance 2015 Base Plan in time for next year's Security Consultative Meeting.

The United States "will maintain its current force posture on the Korean peninsula and continue to strengthen the U.S. military's capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region," Hagel said.

This includes the use of rotational forces, he said.

The Army began rotating forces in Korea last fall when 4th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, was deployed for a nine-month tour.

In February, the Army deployed 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment to Korea. The combined-arms battalion from Fort Hood, Texas, deployed with M1A2 Abrams tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles.

The unit has since been replaced by 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, which also is from Fort Hood. Those 800 soldiers deployed in October.

"This innovative program is already enhancing our combined defense posture," Hagel said, adding that the U.S. commitment to South Korea is "as important as ever."

Han said the South Koreans are supportive of the rotational forces.

"We believe the rotational deployment of battle-ready U.S. forces will support stability on the peninsula," he said.

Preliminary plans call for the Army to begin rotating brigade combat teams to South Korea in late summer 2015. These plans are tentative, and Army officials are still working with South Korean officials, but officials have said rotating whole units instead of deploying soldiers on individual tours will result in formations that are more ready and trained to higher levels.

There are about 28,000 U.S. troops in South Korea; about 19,000 of them are soldiers.

North Korea's destabilizing policies pose a "grave threat" to Asia and the world, Hagel said, and the isolated nation's nuclear and ballistic missile program require "robust deterrence."

"I emphasize that the United States remains committed to using all our military capabilities, both on and off the Korean Peninsula, to ensure our extended deterrence is credible and effective," Hagel said.

This includes endorsing a new operational concept to detect, disrupt, destroy and defend against North Korea's missile threats, and deeper cooperation in missile defense, surveillance and reconnaissance, he said.

"We, the United States, do not intend to change our policy on deployment of our forces in the Republic of Korea," Hagel said. "We continue to strengthen and advance that policy we've had for over 60 years."

About Michelle Tan

Michelle Tan is the editor of Army Times and Air Force Times. She has covered the military for Military Times since 2005, and has embedded with U.S. troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Haiti, Gabon and the Horn of Africa.

Share:
In Other News
Load More