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| China-Japan-Koreas |
| Handover of SKor Troop Control to SKors in 2012 as Planned |
| 2009-05-14 |
| The U.S. Department of Defense has confirmed that it will hand full operational control of South Korean troops to Seoul in 2012 as planned. Combined Forces Command in Seoul on Tuesday said U.S. Commander Gen. Walter Sharp and Deputy Commander Gen. Lee Sung-chool of South Korea visited Washington on May 4-8 to meet senior defense officials, who told them U.S. "commitment to the Republic of Korea will remain strong after OPCON transition and the transfer will occur as planned in 2012." Although Lee told American defense officials that retired South Korean generals want to delay the 2012 transfer, the U.S. side insisted, a military source said. It was the first time that a CFC commander and deputy commander discussed Korea-U.S. security issues with senior defense officials in Washington. The event came at Sharp's proposal. The two generals also discussed scenarios in North Korea after Kim Jong-il. |
| Posted by:Steve White |