South Korean Minister of National Defense Ahn Kyu-baek said the country is ready to immediately assume wartime operational control.

The move would shift military command authority from the U.S. to South Korea, marking a significant change in the security architecture of the peninsula.

Speaking Sunday at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore during the Asia Security Conference, Ahn addressed a U.S. congressional delegation. He said that 94% [1] of the conditions for transferring wartime operational control were already met in 2020. According to Ahn, the transfer could occur tomorrow without any difficulty [1].

Ahn used the meeting to seek formal support from the U.S. delegation for the transition of command. The minister also requested American backing for South Korea to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, which would expand the navy's strategic reach, and surveillance capabilities.

The request for nuclear-powered submarines and the push for operational control highlight Seoul's desire for greater strategic autonomy. This comes as the region faces evolving security threats and a need for modernized deterrence measures.

"The conditions for the transfer of wartime operational control were already met up to 94% in 2020, and there would be no difficulty even if the transfer happened tomorrow," Ahn said [1].

“The transfer could occur tomorrow without any difficulty.”

The push for wartime operational control represents a shift toward South Korean military independence. By citing readiness dates from 2020 and seeking nuclear-powered submarines, Seoul is signaling to the U.S. that it possesses the capability to lead its own defense strategy while still maintaining the alliance.