The U.S. House Armed Services Committee approved an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the fiscal year 2026, which maintains the current level of approximately 28,500 U.S. troops in South Korea. This action marks the beginning of congressional checks amid discussions about the possibility of troop reductions under the Donald Trump administration.
On the 15th (local time), the House Armed Services Committee held a full meeting and passed the NDAA amendment proposed by Congressman Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) by voice vote. The amendment reflects congressional recognition that the Secretary of Defense should strengthen cooperation with allies in the Indo-Pacific region and specifies the maintenance of the 28,500 U.S. troops in South Korea. It also included a reaffirmation of security commitments, including extended deterrence, and urged the strengthening of South Korea-U.S. mutual defense cooperation.
This reflects the wording contained in the National Defense Authorization Act passed last December for fiscal year 2025. Initially, the draft NDAA for this year omitted the provision for maintaining the level of U.S. troops in South Korea, but Congressman Wilson reintroduced it as an amendment, allowing it to pass through the Armed Services Committee.
The National Defense Authorization Act is a key U.S. legislation that establishes defense budgets and policies each year. The level of U.S. troops in South Korea has been strongly protected by a clause prohibiting reductions from fiscal years 2019 to 2021. However, starting in 2022, the clause has been transformed into a recommendation to maintain the current size instead of a prohibition on reduction. Although it has no legal binding force, it is considered to reflect the policy direction of Congress.
Meanwhile, in the NDAA passed by the Senate Armed Services Committee on the 11th, a new clause was included stating that 'the Secretary of Defense shall prohibit any reduction of military posture or transfer of operational control on the Korean Peninsula until it is guaranteed to align with national interests.' Additionally, a provision was added requiring that assessments of risk be conducted by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Indo-Pacific commander, and the commander of U.S. Forces Korea.
Such measures are interpreted as Congress seeking to establish checks against potential unilateral troop reductions in South Korea that may be pursued by the Trump administration. The U.S. administration is expected to announce a plan for the global repositioning of U.S. troops and defense strategy as early as the end of August.
The National Defense Authorization Bill is expected to undergo a consultation process between the House and Senate, be adjusted into a single proposal, and ultimately be finalized with the President's signature.