Why is the US reluctant to give South Korea wartime control of its troops?

AI Summary

South Korea wants to regain wartime operational control of its forces from the United States within two years, but Washington has not committed to a transfer date. The dispute reflects the strategic importance of the alliance and US efforts to maintain command arrangements relevant to deterring China and managing a possible renewed Korean conflict.

South Korea wants to take back wartime command of its troops from the United States within the next two years, but analysts say Washington is refusing to commit to a date to keep a hold on a military it sees as vital to countering China. The dispute is over wartime operational control, known as OPCON, which the US has held since shortly after the outbreak of the Korean war in 1950. If fighting were to break out again under the current arrangements, designated South Korean units would be assigned...