Seoul: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has reiterated his commitment to reclaiming wartime operational control of the nation's military forces from the United States, a key security objective for his administration. President Lee addressed the topic during a speech at the Gyeryongdae military headquarters in celebration of the 77th Armed Forces Day.

According to Anadolu Agency, President Lee emphasized the importance of the Republic of Korea leading a joint defense posture alongside the US by regaining operational control. He underscored that a robust combined defense capability would not only secure peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula but also contribute to regional stability and mutual prosperity.

Defense officials from South Korea and the United States recently convened to assess the progress of transferring wartime operational command (OPCON) to South Korea. These discussions follow a previous meeting in May, highlighting ongoing efforts to fulfill the necessary conditions for the transition.

South Korea remains one of the United States' most enduring allies, hosting approximately 28,500 American troops on the peninsula. Currently, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff maintain peacetime OPCON, while the US-led Combined Forces Command holds operational control during wartime.

During the Korean War from 1950 to 1953, South Korea placed its military forces under the command of the US-led UN Command. This authority was later transferred to the allies' Combined Forces Command in 1978. While wartime operational control has stayed with the United States since then, South Korea regained peacetime control of its military in 1994.