Senate Bill Keeps USFK Troop Levels at 28,500
It looks like the US Senate is trying to prevent the Trump administration from unilaterally reducing troops in South Korea without the consent of Congress:
The US Senate has approved a sweeping annual defense policy bill that reinforces restrictions on any unilateral reduction of US Forces Korea and tightens conditions on the transfer of wartime operational control, underscoring Washington’s insistence that alliance-related changes be guided by security conditions rather than political timelines.
The upper chamber on Wednesday passed the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2026 by a 77–20 vote, one week after the bill cleared the House of Representatives. The legislation will take effect once signed by US President Donald Trump.
Under the bill, funds authorized by Congress cannot be used to reduce the current 28,500-strong US Forces Korea unless the administration certifies that such a move serves US national security interests and follows appropriate consultations with allies, including South Korea. The provision effectively prevents unilateral troop reductions while allowing limited flexibility under strict conditions.
You can read more at the link.
