PUBLICATIONS

Through its publications, INSS provides rigorous, forward‑looking research and analysis on critical national security issues that support the joint warfighter and inform Department of War decision‑makers.

 

Publications

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Tag: OPCON transfer

Thumbnail showing South Korea’s flag over a map of the Korean Peninsula, with South Korean President and former U.S. President Donald Trump on either side. Text references South Korea’s military control and the U.S.-Korea alliance, with a play button indicating a video.

March 31, 2026

South Korea Doesn’t Fully Control Its Own Military. Can Lee Jae-myung Finally Change That?

Dr. Clint Work was interviewed by The Diplomat about his seven-part "Variables of OPCON" article series.

Republic of Korea Air Force F-15K Slam Eagles taxi to parking after arriving at Kunsan Air Base, ROK, Nov. 3, 2025, during Freedom Flag 25-2. FF 25-2 is a routine, regularly scheduled training event designed to prepare joint and combined forces for combat to defend the Republic of Korea.

Feb. 11, 2026

Beyond the Peninsula: What OPCON Transfer Means for the Indo-Pacific

On the surface, wartime OPCON transition can appear a niche topic, marked by a change in the leadership of the South Korea-U.S. alliance’s combined military command structure.

U.S. and Republic of Korea Army soldiers stand guard near the border of North and South Korea during a Swedish Delegation visit to the Joint Security Area, Oct. 15, 2025.

Dec. 22, 2025

What Would OPCON Transfer Mean for the UN Command in Korea?

Considered by some as an artifact of the Cold War, the United Nations Command (UNC) continues to serve several critical roles, from maintaining the armistice agreement to coordinating multinational support for the South Korea-U.S. alliance.

South Korean soldiers pull security on a M3 Bridge vehicle during a wet gap crossing exercise.

Dec. 2, 2025

The Variables of OPCON: What "Conditions"?

Language around wartime operational control (OPCON) transition has evolved over the last decade, revealing important patterns and subtle (or not so subtle) shifts in position and policy.