An Gyu-baek: "The Deeper the Reform, the Greater the Pain... I Will Bear the Full Weight as Minister"

Posts Statement on SNS Marking First Anniversary as Minister
"Timing and Conditions for OPCON Transfer Have Matured"

On July 25, marking the first anniversary of his appointment, Minister of National Defense An Gyu-baek stated, "I am well aware that the greater the scope and depth of reform, the more intense the accompanying pains become," and emphasized, "I will press on unwaveringly."

Defense Minister An Gyu-baek listens to President Lee Jae-myung's remarks at the cabinet meeting held at the Blue House on the 21st. Photo by Yonhap News

In a statement posted on social networking services (SNS) that day, Minister An added, "I will personally shoulder the full weight of reform."

He continued, "I ask for warm encouragement and support for the 550,000 members of our defense family who are steadfastly walking the path of reform."

Minister An asserted, "Defense reform under the Government of National Sovereignty is not merely an adjustment of systems, but a paradigm shift," and pledged, "Building on the foundation of the great achievements that have made the Republic of Korea strong over the past 80 years, we will surely achieve a new paradigm shift for the success of the next 80 years."

Listing his achievements over the past year and future challenges, Minister An stated, "Going forward, our next reform mission awaits, including the establishment of the Korea Military Academy and initiatives such as the restructuring of our military organization."

In particular, regarding wartime operational control (OPCON), he noted, "The journey toward restoration is heading toward its conclusion," and evaluated that "the timing and conditions for OPCON transfer have matured to the point that it is seen as promising even by our allies."

He announced his intention to make every effort to complete the Full Operational Capability (FOC) verification of the future combined command at the ROK-US Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) in October this year, with the goal of announcing the year for OPCON transfer.

The Ministry of National Defense aims to finalize the FOC verification for the future combined command at the SCM to be held in Washington, DC, this November, and for the defense ministers of both countries to recommend to their presidents a target year ("Year X") for OPCON transfer.

Carrying out the OPCON transfer within President Lee Jae-myung’s term (by June 2030) is a key national policy of the Government of National Sovereignty.

Minister An also cited as achievements of the past year: a rigorous internal audit and personnel overhaul in response to the December 3 Martial Law, revision and enhancement of legal and institutional frameworks such as the Martial Law Act and strengthened constitutional education, operational deployment of the high-powered Hyunmoo-5 missile, the public unveiling of the nuclear-powered submarine "Jangbogo N Project," improvements to servicemembers’ welfare, and the lifting or easing of military facility protection zones.

He further explained plans to continue implementing the normalization of counterintelligence and intelligence agencies, including the establishment of a new "Defense Counterintelligence Headquarters," the reorganization of the Marine Corps into a quasi-four-branch system, restructuring of the Defense Drone Headquarters, and increasing on-duty allowances and various stipends.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.