As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for office, Congress has finalized the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2025.
The bill reaffirms the United States’ commitment to maintaining troop levels in South Korea and providing extended deterrence for its allies. Lawmakers emphasized the importance of strengthening defense alliances and partnerships, particularly with South Korea and Japan. The legislation pledges to uphold the current force of 28,500 U.S. troops in South Korea and utilize all available defense capabilities outlined in the 1953 Mutual Defense Treaty.
The Pentagon must submit a plan to Congress by March 1, 2025, to enhance extended deterrence commitments to South Korea. This plan must include crisis consultation procedures, nuclear and strategic planning, integration of conventional and nuclear forces, intelligence-sharing protocols, and associated budget and personnel requirements.
In addition, Congress requires a separate report detailing efforts to enhance trilateral defense cooperation among the U.S., South Korea, and Japan, reflecting growing congressional interest in coordinated regional security efforts.
While these provisions are not legally binding, they signal strong bipartisan intent to uphold defense commitments. Notably, the NDAA has adjusted the language on troop levels in South Korea, moving away from the budgetary restrictions imposed under Trump’s previous administration, which tied funding to increased defense cost-sharing from allies. President-elect Trump has previously advocated for scaling back U.S. troops in South Korea and pushing allies for greater financial contributions to defense.
The FY2025 defense budget, set at $895.2 billion, represents a modest 1% increase over the previous year, aligning with the bipartisan debt ceiling agreement. The bill includes funding for research and development, shipbuilding, combat vessel procurement, and pay raises for junior enlisted personnel. It also incorporates provisions limiting medical coverage for gender transition procedures for dependents of active-duty service members, a priority for Republican lawmakers.
Before taking effect, the NDAA must pass final legislative steps, including votes in both chambers, reconciliation in the conference committee, and approval by the President. Once enacted, the legislation will govern defense spending and policy initiatives from January through September of fiscal year 2025.
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