According to The Chosun Ilbo, Clinton Administration Defense Secretary William Cohen (now chairman of the Cohen Group in Washington) expressed the opinion recently at a Washington meeting that the transfer of military command and control to South Korea would not include air force assets. Attending the meeting was South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, who must not have been pleased. A US Embassy official in South Korea, making the same claim a week earlier, has been denounced by his own embassy. The South Korean Defense Ministry and the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, reports the newspaper, have denied the separation of control rumors. At latest word, Washington wants a speedier turnover than Seoul, but discussion continues.
Three of four congressional committees with influence over defense policy have voted to change the official name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War—but final approval of the Pentagon rebrand is months away and not yet assured.