Xavier Brunson, the commander of U.S. Forces Korea (who also serves as commander of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command and the United Nations Command), revealed a plan to meet the conditions for the transfer of wartime operational control between South Korea and the United States by the second quarter of 2029.
On the 21st (local time), Commander Brunson appeared before the U.S. House Armed Services Committee and said, "We have submitted to the Ministry of National Defense a roadmap to achieve those conditions by the second quarter of fiscal year 2029 (the first quarter of 2029 in Korea) and will continue to push it forward."
Brunson added, "A significant number of those conditions are expected to be discussed at upcoming meetings of the ROK-U.S. Korea Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD) and at the ROK-U.S. Military Committee Meeting (MCM) and Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) to be held in early fall in Washington, D.C."
There was also mention of Korea's continued expansion of defense investment. He said, "Korea is steadily increasing defense investment, and an 8.5% increase in the defense budget over the next three fiscal years will be carried out," adding, "We think we are in a good position."
He also left meaningful implications about a change in the strategic role of U.S. Forces Korea. He explained, "Along with the transfer of wartime operational control, we are seeking to provide 'limited but essential support' for military missions against North Korea while at the same time looking westward."