“Wartime OPCON Transition to Lead a Stronger Korea and a More Robust ROK–US Alliance”

One year after the emergency martial law crisis, Minister Ahn Gyu-back chairs the National Commanders ' Conference.

Emphasizes key policy priorities for implementation in 2026.

Calls for a clean break from the past in which the military was exploited as a tool of emergency martial law.

Pushes to rebuild the armed forces through education on constitutional values and the Military Criminal Act.

Envisions a military worthy of the youth, dreams, and lives of its service members.

P1. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and senior Defense Ministry and Joint Chiefs of Staff officials, along with Army, Navy and Air Force commanders, observe a moment of silence during the national ceremony at the 2025 second-half National Commanders' Conference held at the Defense Ministry on Dec. 3.

On the first anniversary of the Dec. 3 martial law crisis, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back stressed the imperative of reconstructing the people's military while safeguarding constitutional principles via deep reflection and drawing vital lessons. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back called on attendees to commit fully to achieving wartime OPCON transition, which will strengthen the Republic of Korea and solidify the ROK-US Alliance.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back convened the second half of the 2025 National Commanders' Conference on December 3 in the Ministry's main auditorium, attended by 150 senior leaders, including Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Jin Young-seung, Chiefs of Staff of the Republic of Army, Navy, and Air Force, Marine Corps Commander, and key Defense Ministry officials.

Minister Ahn, in his opening remarks, extended gratitude for the efforts of all commanders and soldiers in maintaining a robust readiness posture. He stated, "Today marks the first anniversary of the Revolution of Light; our military must sever ties with the past exploited as a tool in the martial law crisis and be reborn as the people's military, steadfastly upholding constitutional values."

Minister Ahn outlined key 2026 policies, stating, "Amid the population cliff, future military structural reform is a survival imperative that can no longer be postponed. We must reestablish our joint operations concept and combat methods, optimizing and integrating troops, units, and combat strength accordingly."

Minister Ahn continued, "The transition of wartime OPCON signifies a stronger Republic of Korea, fostering a more robust ROK-US Alliance. We must concentrate all defense resources to achieve wartime OPCON transition within the term of this administration."

Minister Ahn expressed commitment to building a military worth devoting youth, enthusiasm, dreams, and life through substantial improvements in compensation and welfare. Minister Ahn added, "Commanders must dedicate themselves to cultivating a military culture aligned with our service values at operational and training sites, enabling soldiers to take genuine pride in wearing the uniform."

Conference attendees underscored rebuilding the people's military as guardians of constitutional principles. Key discussions covered future-oriented structural reforms, improved compensation and welfare for officers, and achieving wartime OPCON transition."

Attendees concurred that reconstructing the people's military demands rigorous education on constitutional principles and military criminal laws. On military structural reform, discussions emphasized innovating operational systems with AI and unmanned assets, alongside expanding civilian personnel integration.

With 2026 as the watershed year for wartime OPCON transition, discussions outlined a roadmap linking combined training exercises to fulfillment of transition conditions.

Discussions covered realistic enhancements to soldiers' compensation and welfare, including a differentiated pay system for service members responsible for national security, the nation's foremost value, and the development of urban residential areas into town-style communities.

Minister Ahn stated, "History teaches through two paths: learning from the negative examples of others' mistakes or flaws, and emulating the virtuous actions or successes of positive role models. As the old saying warns, 'rotten wood cannot be carved.' Rebuilding the people's military is impossible without confronting these negative lessons."

He stressed that all must stake their positions and give their utmost so that, in the future, their successors can look to them as a positive lesson for having fulfilled the mission of rebuilding a people's military that upholds constitutional values.

He reminded attendees, "The people place their trust in a military imbued with a strong sense of mission. I, too, will walk forward without hesitation, standing at the forefront of the arduous path of rebuilding the people's military, together with our commanders and service members who are safeguarding the land and mountains of the Republic of Korea."

By Byeong-No, Yun <[email protected] >

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