전작권 환수 동의... 한미안보합의 내용과 앞으로의 과제
Keeping our sights fixated on the Security Consultative Meeting.
Among other things, the top military leaders signed the guiding principles for wartime operational control transfer.
Kan Hyeong-woo explains what this means and what needs to be done to complete the process.
The Alliance Guiding Principles signed by the military leaders of Seoul and Washington include a range of commitments to maintain the U.S. troops in South Korea, retain the allies' Combined Forces Command and the UN Command and have a South Korean general or admiral in charge of the Combined Forces Command.
Experts say that even though the results of the meeting between the two military leaders are not surprising, the fact the allies saw an eye-to-eye over supporting the ongoing diplomatic efforts with Pyeongyang should erase some skepticism.
"Both sides agree to support implementation of the Panmunjeom declaration and the military domain. That will help mediate public anxiety also that the ROK ministry gave too much concession to the North in the absence of meaningful progress in North Korea's denuclearization process."
Despite the encouraging signs from the Security Consultative Meeting, experts say there is still work to be done. For the transfer of wartime operational control, South Korea's military needs to step up its operational capabilities.
When the incoming U.S. Forces Korea commander General Robert Abrams testified in front of the Senate, he specifically pointed out that there are numerous capability gaps in respect to the South Korean military's ability to carry out certain tasks.
But experts say it's not just the matter of South Korea's military. Full support from the government and the National Assembly is necessary... and diplomatic efforts also play a crucial role for the transfer of wartime operational control.
"That there's no more military tensions,.. that the security environment surrounding the Korean Peninsula and the relationship between both Koreas and also the relationship between North Korea and the U.S. gets better. That's part of the condition."
This year's Security Consultative Meeting showed that the alliance between the two militaries remains strong. But there are still a number of hurdles to be overcome to achieve their agreements.
Kan Hyeong-woo, Arirang News
