It has been confirmed that the defense authorization bill for the fiscal year 2026 recently passed by the U.S. Senate contains provisions stating that budget cuts cannot be used for the reduction of U.S. troops in South Korea. This is interpreted as a preemptive measure by Congress to restrain the possibility of troop reductions in South Korea, which has been raised again during the Donald Trump administration.
According to the U.S. Congress bill information system on the 17th (local time), the Senate Armed Services Committee approved the NDAA on the 11th. The bill includes the wording 'maintaining the level of U.S. troops in South Korea at 28,500,' which was included during the Biden administration. The same provisions were stated in the legislation that passed through the House Armed Services Committee earlier.
The bill specifies the recognition of Congress that the Minister of National Defense needs to strengthen alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region, and it specifically mentioned actions including 'reaffirming the commitment to maintain U.S. forces stationed in Korea and to expand deterrence.'
In particular, the Senate NDAA added provisions that restrict the use of budget for the process of transferring wartime operational control (OPCON) as well as reducing U.S. forces in South Korea. This is the restoration of the 'prohibition on budget usage' clause that was included during the first term of the Trump administration (fiscal year 2019-2021) after five years.
The bill states that 'budget cannot be allocated for reducing the number of U.S. troops stationed in Korea to less than 28,500 or for transferring operational control to the South Korean military command.' This is seen as a congressional control mechanism to prevent unilateral troop reductions or transfers of operational control by ensuring that the administration does not secure funding.
However, the provisions also included an exception clause. If the Minister of National Defense guarantees to Congress that the reduction of U.S. troops in South Korea or the transfer of operational control aligns with U.S. security interests and that sufficient consultations have been made with allies such as South Korea and Japan, budget usage is allowed.
Along with this, the bill mandates an assessment of the impact of U.S. troop reductions on U.S. and East Asian security, as well as changes in U.S. operational capabilities, to be reported to Congress. In the case of transferring operational control, Congress also requires analysis of whether the three conditions agreed upon between South Korea and the U.S. are met, the operational feasibility of the joint command led by the South Korean military, and risks of nuclear proliferation.
This NDAA will be processed as a single bill after being passed by both the Senate and the House, with differences reconciled, and will ultimately take effect following the President's signature. Congress's action is interpreted as a legal safeguard against the potential for troop reductions in South Korea should former President Trump return to power.