President Lee Jae Myung on Monday reaffirmed his commitment to reclaiming wartime operational control from the United States, calling it essential to Korea’s sovereignty. Speaking with reporters at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Lee expressed confidence in the country’s defense capabilities while acknowledging the challenges of changing a command arrangement that has lasted more than seven decades. “To put it plainly, we must reclaim wartime operational control at an early date, and we are fully capable of doing so,” he said. “Discussions between Korea and the United States are also generally progressing well toward its return.” Responding to remarks by U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson on the conditions for the handover, Lee said differing views could emerge but stressed that Korea should take responsibility for assessing its own defense capabilities.