Defense chiefs of S. Korea, U.S. hold talks on OPCON transfer, alliance

South Korea's Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met in the Philippines to discuss the timing of the wartime operational control (OPCON) transfer from the U.S. to South Korea and other alliance matters. South Korea aims to regain OPCON by 2030, but the U.S. insists on meeting all conditions, including verifying South Korea's full operational capability. The talks may affect the scheduling of the next Security Consultative Meeting (SCM).