U.S. National Defense Authorization Act to Maintain U.S. Forces in South Korea Ahead of Trump's inauguration

With less than a month left before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, the fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, which stipulates that U.S. troops in South Korea will remain at the current level, took effect.

The White House says President Joe Biden signed a 1,285 trillion won National Defense Authorization Act that passed the House and Senate.

The National Defense Authorization Act, which will take effect in fiscal 2025, included maintaining 28,500 U.S. troops deployed to South Korea and reaffirming its commitment to extended deterrence against South Korea.

Also called on the Ministry of National Defense to report to Congress a plan to strengthen its commitment to extended deterrence and a plan to advance defense cooperation between South Korea, the U.S. and Japan.

However, there is no legal enforcement in the provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act regarding the size of the U.S. Forces in Korea.

The National Defense Authorization Act also included Republican requirements such as restrictions on medical insurance aid related to gender transition for active-duty military children, and President Biden expressed opposition to it in a statement issued with the bill's signature.

Mr. Biden said it hindered parents from their role in deciding the best choice for their children, noting that some provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act raise concerns.