Korea’s Ministry of National Defense and U.S. Forces Korea have denied reports that U.S.F.K. commander Gen. James Thurman suggested keeping the Combined Forces Command intact after the handover of wartime operational control to Seoul in 2015.

On Thursday a local daily reported that Thurman had suggested keeping the Combined Forces Command intact after the handover with the top post being held by a Korean general. The post is currently held by the commander of the U.S.F.K.

Under the plans for the wartime operational control handover, Korean military will take the lead role in a war situation for Korean and U.S. forces here, and the U.S. general in command of the U.S. forces in peace time will play a supporting role while the Combined Forces Command will be disbanded.

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)