WorldPosted at: Sep 19 2026 3:33PM


US, South Korea pledge to accelerate wartime OPCON transition

Washington, Sep 19 (UNI) The United States and South Korea have pledged to strengthen cooperation to accelerate the transition of wartime operational control (OPCON) of South Korean forces, as the two allies reviewed efforts to modernise their alliance amid an evolving security environment.
The commitment was made during the 29th Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD), held from September 16 to 18 in Busan, according to a joint statement issued by the U.S. Department of War and South Korea's Ministry of National Defense.
The US delegation was led by George LeMeur, Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for East Asia, while Deputy Minister for National Defense Policy Dr Kim Hong-Cheol led the South Korean delegation. Senior US and South Korean defence and foreign affairs officials also participated in the talks.
The two sides assessed progress in implementing follow-up measures on defence cooperation outlined in the Joint Fact Sheet agreed by the US and South Korean presidents and the 57th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) Joint Communique issued last year.
They also reviewed efforts to modernise the alliance in response to the changing security environment and assessed progress on the Conditions-based Wartime Operational Control (OPCON) Transition Plan (COTP).
"Both sides pledged to strengthen cooperation to accelerate the transition of wartime OPCON," the statement said.
During the dialogue, the two sides also visited major defence industry sites to strengthen cooperation in shipbuilding and aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) activities, and to enhance mutual understanding of key defence issues.
Washington and Seoul agreed to maintain close and continuous consultations on matters concerning the security of the US-South Korea alliance.UNI AAB
Tags: #US# South Korea pledge to accelerate wartime OPCON transition
More News

Iran FM Araghchi calls for non-discriminatory implementation of international law

19 Sep 2026 | 6:50 PM

Tehran, Sep 19 (UNI) Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has called for the non-discriminatory implementation of international law and urged the international community to move away from militarism and interventionism towards sustainable development, respect for national sovereignty and lasting peace.

see more..

Trump bars CNN, MS NOW, Politico from White House after accusing them of peddling ‘FAKE NEWS’

19 Sep 2026 | 6:07 PM

Washington, Sep 19 (UNI) US President Donald Trump barred news platforms such as CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House “effective immediately”, escalating his long-running feud with news organisations whose coverage he has been critical of.

see more..

US State Dept approves potential sale of USD$2 68bn worth of air defence equipment to Ukraine amid depleting stocks

19 Sep 2026 | 5:06 PM

Washington/Kyiv, Sep 19 (UNI) The US State Department has approved the potential sale of USD$2.68 billion worth of air-defence equipment and related services to Ukraine, as Kyiv continues facing intensified Russian attacks and amid depleting munition stocks.

see more..

Russia responsible for majority of sexual violence cases in Ukraine: UN report

19 Sep 2026 | 4:48 PM

Geneva, Sep 19 (UNI) Russian authorities were responsible for the vast majority of documented cases of sexual violence against civilians and prisoners of war in Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, while a smaller number of violations were attributed to Ukrainian authorities, a UN Human Rights Office report said.

see more..

Geneva: Activist raises concerns over rights of Shia, Ahmadi communities in Pakistan

19 Sep 2026 | 3:57 PM

Geneva, Sep 19 (UNI) Human rights activist Khalilur Rahman has raised concerns over the protection of the rights of Shia and Ahmadi communities in Pakistan during the 63rd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.

see more..