South Korea has launched a major overhaul of its joint command-and-control (C2) system used alongside the United States, placing artificial intelligence at the center of future allied military operations on the Korean Peninsula. The modernization effort aims to enhance how combined forces plan, coordinate, and respond in high-intensity combat environments.
Hanwha Systems, selected as the prime contractor in December 2025, is spearheading the upgrade of the Allied Korea Joint Command and Control System (AKJCCS) in coordination with South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration. The revamped system is scheduled to become operational in 2029 and will introduce AI-driven situational awareness, automated decision-support tools, cloud-based infrastructure, and virtual desktop capabilities to accelerate information sharing and command execution.
Additional enhancements include real-time language translation, secure teleconferencing, and reinforced cybersecurity measures to improve coordination between South Korean and US personnel during joint operations. These upgrades are designed to support faster decision-making in a rapidly evolving battlespace, where seamless communication and data fusion are critical.
The AKJCCS modernization is closely tied to Seoul’s long-term objective of regaining wartime operational control (OPCON) from the US-led Combined Forces Command by 2030. While the upgrade does not immediately trigger an OPCON transfer, it addresses a key US requirement: demonstrating robust and reliable command-and-control capabilities. Once completed, the system will represent South Korea’s first domestically developed C2 platform incorporating AI-based situational analysis and automated decision support.
