Signed by Trump after Congressional Approval
Restrictions Also Placed on Reducing U.S. Troops Stationed in Europe
The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which explicitly prohibits the U.S. administration from unilaterally reducing the number of U.S. troops stationed in South Korea, has officially come into effect.
The White House announced on December 18 (local time) that President Donald Trump signed the NDAA for fiscal year 2026 (October 2025-September 2026).
The NDAA is an annual bill that authorizes the Department of Defense’s budget expenditures and policies. It takes effect after passing both the House and Senate and receiving the President’s signature.
The NDAA for fiscal year 2026 specifies that the authorized budget cannot be used to reduce the U.S. military presence in South Korea below the current level of 28,500 troops. The provision restricting the use of the Department of Defense budget for reducing U.S. Forces Korea was removed during the previous administration under Joe Biden, but has reappeared five years later with the start of Trump’s second term.
Additionally, the NDAA stipulates that funds cannot be used to complete the transfer of wartime operational control of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command in a manner that deviates from the mutually agreed plan between the two countries. However, if the administration submits documentation to the relevant standing committee showing that the action aligns with U.S. national security interests or that consultations have been held with South Korea, Japan, and member states of the United Nations Command, the restriction will be lifted after 60 days.
The final version of the NDAA did not include a provision granting priority to South Korean and Japanese companies for investment in new shipyard construction in the United States in the shipbuilding sector. Instead, it called for the establishment of a comprehensive shipbuilding improvement strategy, including the optimization of existing public shipyard infrastructure.
This year’s NDAA also includes a ban on reducing the number of troops stationed or deployed in Europe below 76,000 for more than 45 days, as well as an additional $800 million in support for Ukraine. A 3.8% pay raise for military personnel is also included.
The U.S. defense budget for fiscal year 2026 stands at $901 billion, reflecting bipartisan support in Congress for spending on new submarines, fighter jets, drones, and other defense programs.
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