A Japanese daily reports that even after wartime operational control (OPCON) is transferred from the U.S. to South Korea in 2015, the U.S. military may continue to have an active presence on the Korean Peninsula.

Japan’s Asahi Shimbun said when OPCON is transferred to the Korean military, the Combined Delegated Authority (CODA), which is exercised by the commander of the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command, should be deactivated.

However, newspaper said, the two nations are discussing ways to have the U.S. keep its function to prevent war and a rise in inter-Korean tensions, and this may mean that U.S. troops will continue to serve in Korea.

The newspaper also pointed out that the U.S. is concerned that North Korea’s armed provocations could lead to the South Korean military defending more aggressively than necessary.

The newspaper also said even after OPCON is completely transferred to South Korea, the two sides have already agreed to the necessity of the U.S. continuing to command air force operations, and tasks aimed at eliminating North Korea's nuclear weapons and substances.