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Hanbyeol Sohn

Hanbyeol Sohn

The Diplomat

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The South Korea-US Alliance: What Comes After OPCON?

OPCON transfer is not an agreement on how to separate. It's a renewed commitment that makes necessary updates to a 70-year-old framework.

27.05.2026 6

The Diplomat

Hanbyeol Sohn

The Duet of Command: Key Operational Issues for OPCON Transfer

The question is no longer whether to transfer OPCON, but how to design the alliance’s command structure and capabilities so that the post-transfer...

20.05.2026 5

The Diplomat

Hanbyeol Sohn

The Military Imperative for OPCON Transfer

Military organizations must contend with operational realities, not political declarations. That's exactly why OPCON transfer is necessary.

13.05.2026 8

The Diplomat

Hanbyeol Sohn

Why the ‘Control Rod’ Wouldn’t Budge: 20 Years of OPCON Transfer Debates

The difficulty and delay of OPCON transfer has not been because either side is unwilling. The question is no longer whether to transfer but how –...

06.05.2026 10

The Diplomat

Hanbyeol Sohn

A Strategic Turning Point for Australia-South Korea Defense Cooperation

In an era of restructuring alliances, the two are bolstering pragmatic solidarity. 

20.08.2025 10

The Diplomat

Hanbyeol Sohn