South Korea tensions rise as Lee reaffirms OPCON transfer push amid Trump drill cuts

South Korea tensions have intensified as President Lee Jae Myung reaffirmed his commitment to regaining wartime operational control of troops from the United States within his term while urging accelerated development of nuclear-powered submarines, as the country began its annual Ulchi civil defense and joint military exercises with the US amid tensions over President Donald Trump's call to substantially reduce those drills.

Lee Reaffirms OPCON Transfer Timeline

President Lee Jae Myung reaffirmed his commitment to regaining wartime operational control from the United States within his term, which ends in 2030, and stressed the importance of self-reliant defense capabilities. [5] He made the remarks during a Cabinet meeting on the first day of the four-day Ulchi exercise and Ulchi Freedom Shield combined US-South Korea drills. [2] Lee stated that the OPCON transfer should be completed during his term as the government initially planned, noting that regaining wartime OPCON should be pursued as part of efforts to further strengthen national defense capabilities amid a rapid change in the global security environment and the evolving nature of warfare toward hybrid warfare. [5] He also pointed to South Korea’s already formidable military capabilities, saying its weapons systems and force strength meant that “it would not be an exaggeration to say that we have more than enough capability” to defend the country on its own. [2]

Response to Trump's Reduction Order

US President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that he ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to reduce joint exercises because they send an “inappropriate and hostile” signal to North Korea, citing his good relationship with Kim Jong-un. [2] Lee stressed that a strong ROK-US alliance and stronger self-reliant defense capabilities are mutually necessary, and that South Korea already has more than enough capability to defend itself. [2] Lee emphasized that when the alliance is firm, the foundation for security will become stronger, while the value and importance as an ally will grow as capabilities are strengthened. [5] The president reiterated that the alliance must remain strong to reinforce the foundations of security while self-reliant capabilities must be strengthened to increase value as an ally. [2]

Push for Nuclear Submarine Acceleration

The nuclear-powered submarine project advanced after Trump approved it following his summit with Lee in Gyeongju last October; Seoul aims to launch its first domestically built one in the mid-2030s. [2] Lee asked that the nuclear-powered submarine project be accelerated, describing it as a symbol of the future of a more constructive and stronger ROK-US alliance. [2] In a joint fact sheet released the following month, the US said it would work closely with the ROK to advance requirements for this shipbuilding project, including avenues to source fuel. [2] South Korea in May unveiled a road map for launching its first domestically built nuclear-powered submarine in the mid-2030s, while pledging to uphold its nuclear nonproliferation commitments. [2] Seoul would still need Washington’s consent to enrich uranium for a nuclear-powered submarine under the bilateral 123 Agreement. [2]

Ulchi Exercises and NSC Meeting

Lee presided over an Ulchi National Security Council meeting, instructing officials to make the exercise practical and reflective of modern hybrid warfare rather than repeating past formats, while emphasizing it is defensive and not intended to heighten tensions with North Korea. [2] Before the Cabinet meeting, Lee presided over a closed-door meeting of the Ulchi National Security Council at the National Crisis Management Center within the Cheong Wa Dae compound. [2] The meeting reviewed the nation’s capacity for a whole-of-nation wartime response, as well as each agency’s procedures and measures for transitioning to a wartime footing. [2] Lee instructed officials not to simply repeat the Ulchi exercise as it has been conducted in the past and stated the exercise should reflect the changing nature of modern warfare and turn it into a practical, realistic preparedness exercise for a whole-of-nation war effort. [2] Lee underlined that while creating a peace in which there is no need to fight is of paramount importance, the country must also prepare for the worst. [2]

Military Academy Integration Plans

Lee urged the military to push ahead with plans to merge South Korea’s Army, Navy and Air Force academies into the tentatively named National Military Academy. [2] To prepare for future warfare in which distinctions between battlefields have become meaningless, military leaders equipped with integrated operational capabilities must be fostered. [2] The president insisted that preparations for the establishment of the National Military Academy must proceed without wavering. [5]

Chinese FM Visit Announcement

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to visit South Korea on Aug. 19-20. [1]

What to watch next: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s scheduled two-day visit to South Korea may bring further diplomatic developments amid the ongoing discussions over joint military exercises and defense capabilities. [1]