Seoul capable of assuming wartime command of US-led forces, says Lee

President Lee Suk-yeol has stated that South Korea is sufficiently prepared to assume wartime command of the combined US-South Korean military forces, marking a significant shift in the longstanding defence alliance between the two nations.

The assertion comes as Seoul pursues a timeline to reclaim operational control from United States Forces Korea, with local media reports indicating 2028 as the target year for the transition. This would represent a fundamental restructuring of command arrangements that have remained largely unchanged since the Korean War armistice in 1953.

The proposed transfer reflects South Korea's growing military capabilities and technological advancement over recent decades. Seoul has invested heavily in developing indigenous defence systems and expanding its armed forces' autonomous operational capacity, which proponents argue now justifies greater independent command authority.

The move carries significant strategic implications for the region, affecting military coordination, defence protocols, and the broader security architecture linking the United States and South Korea. Any formal transfer would require coordination between Seoul and Washington, as well as thorough assessment of readiness across various military domains.

The announcement underscores South Korea's evolving approach to defence self-reliance while maintaining the broader alliance framework with the United States, as regional security concerns continue to shape strategic planning in Northeast Asia.