South Korean Defense Minister discusses military medical school and wartime command transition

During a National Assembly audit on October 26, South Korean Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul addressed critical issues regarding military personnel and command structures.

To combat a shortage of military doctors, Kang emphasized the necessity of establishing a national military medical school. He noted that discussions with the medical community, which had previously faced difficulties, are beginning to show progress. The proposed six-year institution would aim to secure a stable supply of long-term military medical officers, similar to systems used in the United States, to ensure medical readiness during both peacetime and wartime.

Regarding the transition of wartime operational control (OPCON), Kang stated that South Korea and the United States are consulting closely to determine the transition year once Full Operational Capability (FOC) verification is complete. He reaffirmed his principle that the transition must occur under conditions of guaranteed trust. The minister also noted that South Korea has expressed concerns to U.S. officials regarding potential changes to the criteria for meeting OPCON transition conditions and the possibility of deploying U.S. forces stationed in Korea to other regional conflicts.