Minister Ahn Gyu-baek of the Ministry of National Defense on the 2nd emphasized that "this year's verification of the future Combined Forces Command's full operational capability (FOC) is a critical process to prove to the public and the world, on the basis of the firm South Korea–U.S. alliance, that the Republic of Korea has the practical capacity to lead security on the Korean Peninsula."

Minister Ahn Gyu-baek of the Ministry of National Defense holds a press conference on the Marine Corps reorganization into a quasi-fourth service in the briefing room at the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of December 31 last year. /Courtesy of News1

The Minister said in a New Year's message posted on Facebook the same day, "Uncertainty in the security environment we face is growing by the day. North Korea has been advancing its nuclear and missile threats, including by recently revealing the construction of a nuclear-powered submarine," and stated accordingly. He went on to emphasize, "Recognize clearly the national significance and the mission of the times embodied in the restoration of wartime operational control (OPCON), and I hope every service member prepares thoroughly with one heart."

The Ministry of National Defense aims to complete FOC verification at the 58th South Korea–U.S. Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) to be held in November this year in connection with the transfer of OPCON. Verification for the OPCON transfer consists of three stages: ▲ initial operational capability (IOC) ▲ full operational capability (FOC) ▲ full mission capability (FMC). The FOC assessment has been completed and the verification process is underway. If this year's FOC verification is concluded, it can move on to the final stage of full mission capability (FMC) assessment and verification.

The Minister also highlighted as key tasks for the new year a restructuring of the force for a qualitative leap to a stronger military, including building an artificial intelligence (AI)-based manned–unmanned teaming system, and fostering a barracks culture where "the pride of wearing the uniform" becomes combat power.

The Minister said, "2026 will be a watershed in rebuilding the people's military and a historic year when the people's sovereignty government's defense reform roadmap is fully set in motion."

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