U.S. to Delay Transfer of Troop Control to South Korea

The U.S. agreed to an indefinite delay in handing over wartime control of troops on the Korean peninsula to South Korea because of “an intensifying North Korean threat,” Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said.

The delay means the U.S. will continue to command American and South Korean forces on the peninsula in wartime instead of ceding control to South Korea at the end of next year as had been planned. Yonhap News reported the move was made at South Korea’s urging.