Michael Desombre, U.S. deputy minister for East Asian and Pacific affairs at the State Department, on the 25th (local time) addressed Korea's push to transfer wartime operational control (OPCON), saying, "We understand the Korean government's desire for an expeditious transition," and "We are working to ensure the conditions for the transition are met as soon as possible."
Deputy Minister Desombre appeared at a hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific that day and answered in this way to questions from Subcommittee Chair Young Kim (R-Calif.).
He emphasized, "The OPCON transition is a conditions-based agreement," adding, "Both sides must be confident that even after Korea assumes OPCON, the United States can maintain the necessary deterrence in Korea."
He added, "Discussions are ongoing about the exact timing," and said, "We understand the Korean government's desire to proceed quickly, and we are focused on ensuring the conditions are met as soon as possible."
The Korean government has maintained its stance of pushing the OPCON transition as quickly as possible, and some expect that the transition could be targeted as early as next year. U.S. military authorities, on the other hand, have stressed meeting the transition conditions and have taken a more cautious stance.
Separately, Deputy Minister Desombre said regarding the treatment of U.S. corporations in Korea, including Coupang, raised in the U.S. Congress and administration, "The Coupang issue is a topic we have discussed in depth with Korea."
He said, "An agreement that Korea will not discriminate against U.S. corporations is included in the joint fact sheet," adding, "We conveyed concerns about how Korea is treating Coupang, and we expect the same standards to be applied as to other corporations."
He also emphasized on the issue of non-tariff barriers, "Eliminating non-tariff barriers in the automotive and agricultural sectors is likewise included in the joint fact sheet."
Separately, Ami Bera, a senior Democrat known for his pro-Korea stance, said in his opening remarks that during his visit to Korea in March, he met with President Lee Jae-myung and noted, "Korea need not worry about the U.S. pledge to provide nuclear deterrence, nor is there any reason to pursue its own nuclear armament."
Bera also stressed that to expand Korea's investment in the United States, it is necessary to promptly resolve the visa quota issue for Korea's technical workforce.